New BBC series to air about early days of The Beatles

A six-part series inspired by a memoir documenting the early days of The Beatles is to air on the BBC.

Hamburg Days is based on the book of the same name and follows the transformation of a group of teenagers into one of the world’s biggest bands.

The book, by German musician Klaus Voormann and German photographer and artist Astrid Kirchherr and published in 1999, is set in Hamburg’s St Pauli red-light district in the early 1960s.

It documents the time Voormann and Kirchherr spent with the band, who would go on to become a global phenomenon.

Voormann, 87, will act as a consultant on the “fascinating” new series, which has been acquired by the broadcaster from UK-based independent film and television company Turbine Studios.

German director Christian Schwochow, who worked on Netflix’s hit series The Crown, is the showrunner of the series, and Bafta-winner David Holmes, who worked on Killing Eve and the Ocean’s franchise, will curate the music.

According to his website, Voormann received a Grammy award for designing the cover of The Beatles’ album Revolver.

The German musician has a long-lasting working relationship with The Beatles, and played bass on many of their solo projects following the band’s break-up in 1970.

He has played for Sir Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon.

Voormann’s website said he has also worked with Manfred Mann, Carly Simon and Eric Clapton.

Kirchherr died in 2020, having been remembered for the early pictures she took of The Beatles.

Sue Deeks, head of scripted pre-buy acquisitions at the BBC, said:

“Hamburg Days is 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.

“It is an incredible story, accompanied (of course) by an amazing soundtrack.”

Hamburg Days follows the original members of the group: John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, during their time in Germany.

The new series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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