Aimee Lou Wood says playing Pattie Boyd in Beatles biopics is ‘intimidating’

Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood has said playing photographer Pattie Boyd in a Beatles biopic feels “quite intimidating”.

The actress, also known for playing Chelsea in the third series of The White Lotus, will portray George Harrison’s former wife in the upcoming films from Sir Sam Mendes, about the lives and careers of the Fab Four.

Filming has already begun with Wood yet to have her anticipated first “proper day” on set.

Speaking about taking on the role, Wood told The Standard: “With this one, everyone knows these people so it’s very different, and it’s quite intimidating.

“I’ve gone and done my fittings with my blonde hair and my blue eyes. I’m really stepping into a different person.

“We look like them… so it’s kind of trippy.”

The 32-year old admitted the preparation for the role will be different from how she usually takes on characters and will require a level of “discipline”.

She added: “I can sometimes be like, ‘let’s just see how it goes, and throw paint at the wall and see’, which is great for certain things, but I actually can’t do that with Pattie.

“I am going to have to really prep, and I am going to have to really be detailed about that, because she is someone who is so recognisable, and obviously not do an impression.

“I have to be specific whilst also being free, so I think that’s a good muscle to flex, but it scares me.”

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event stars Normal People actor Paul Mescal as Sir Paul McCartney, fellow Irish actor Barry Keoghan as drummer Ringo Starr, Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, with Wood’s onscreen husband, Harrison, played by Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn.

The four films are due to be released in April 2028, with Wood joined by Lady Bird actress Saoirse Ronan, The Lady star Mia McKenna-Bruce and Shogun actress Anna Sawai playing pivotal women in the story of the Beatles – Boyd, Linda McCartney, Maureen Starkey and Yoko Ono respectively.

Alongside playing Boyd, Wood will also portray Jane Eyre in a new television adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel – a role which she thinks will feel more like “home” to her.

Despite this, she is careful to make sure she continues to push herself out of her comfort zone especially this early on in her career.

She added: “I can understand why people do that, I can understand why because the more eyes that are on you, the more scared you are to fail.

“So I can see why people go, ‘let me just do what I know I can do’, but that’s then the death of your own creativity.”

Wood is also known for playing the loyal and bubbly Aimee Gibbs in the hit Netflix series Sex Education – a role which won her a Bafta TV award in 2021 for best female performance in a comedy.

She recently received two nominations for the upcoming 2026 Bafta TV awards including in the supporting actress category for her role in Sky Atlantic’s The White Lotus.

Wood was also nominated for best lead actress for her role in the BBC comedy series Film Club, which she also co-created.