The BBC has officially green‑lit a six‑part drama series titled Hamburg Days, set to chronicle The Beatles’ formative years, long before they became global superstars. Focusing on 1960 to 1962, the series captures the band’s time in Hamburg, Germany, where relentless live performances in the city’s gritty clubs helped them hone their craft. This early period, often overlooked in mainstream accounts, was crucial in shaping the group’s sound, stage presence, and camaraderie. It was in Hamburg that the young Liverpool musicians first encountered the energy of performing for long sets in tough, sometimes hostile environments, forcing them to refine their musical and personal chemistry.
The series draws inspiration from the autobiography of musician and artist Klaus Voormann, who also serves as a consultant for the project. The creative team includes Benjamin Benedict as developer, Jamie Carragher as head writer, and Christian Schwochow as showrunner, with direction by Mat Whitecross, known for his work in documentary-style music films. Together, the team aims to authentically recreate the raw, sweaty, and intense environment of Hamburg’s St. Pauli district, immersing viewers in the scrappy world that shaped The Beatles’ early identity. The show will highlight the band’s interactions with local artists and creatives such as Voormann and photographer Astrid Kirchherr, whose influence helped transform their raw ambition into musical innovation.
Sue Deeks, BBC’s head of scripted acquisitions, described Hamburg Days as “the fascinating story of how, in the space of two short years, a raw young band from Liverpool honed their music skills in Hamburg, before returning home to become an overnight worldwide success.” The series promises to explore both the personal and professional growth of the band members, their trials in a foreign city, and the friendships and creative sparks that would carry them toward stardom.
Hamburg Days also arrives amid a broader resurgence of Beatles projects. Alongside the BBC series, a four-part cinematic biopic is slated for a 2028 release, directed by Sam Mendes, with each film focusing on a single band member. While Mendes’ films aim to capture individual perspectives and cinematic storytelling, Hamburg Days will offer a grounded, immersive look at the collective struggle, energy, and ingenuity that defined the band’s pre-superstar years. For Beatles fans, the series promises an intimate, emotional, and unvarnished glimpse into the period when a group of ambitious Liverpool teens first learned what it took to become musical legends.
