Casting Call: The Beatles are returning to Spain

John Lennon’s forgotten Almería chapter

Long before streaming giants and blockbuster TV productions discovered southern Spain, John Lennon himself was living and working in Almería.

In 1966, Lennon arrived in the province to film the dark anti-war comedy How I Won the War, directed by Richard Lester. Large parts of the movie were filmed in the deserts and military-style landscapes around Almería, whose dry terrain doubled perfectly for wartime locations.

During his stay, Lennon spent weeks living in the city and travelling around the province — an experience many Beatles historians believe became deeply influential during a pivotal period in his songwriting life.

It was here, away from Beatlemania chaos and the screaming crowds, that Lennon reportedly began developing ideas that would later evolve into Strawberry Fields Forever.

That alone gives Almería a remarkable little slice of music history.

The John Lennon statue in Almería

Today, visitors can still find a bronze statue of John Lennon sitting casually on a bench in Almería city centre — one of the province’s more unusual landmarks and a favourite stop for Beatles fans visiting Andalucía.

The statue commemorates Lennon’s connection to the city and serves as a reminder that Almería’s relationship with cinema and music stretches back decades.

For many tourists, it comes as a genuine surprise to discover that one of the world’s most famous musicians once wandered these very streets.

So… is Sam Mendes bringing The Beatles back?

Official confirmation remains limited, but the clues are stacking up quickly.

Recent casting calls in Almería have reportedly requested:

• Men with 1960s-style looks
• Moustaches and long hair
• Mediterranean and international profiles
• Children and specialist performers
• Musicians and dancers

At the same time, Spain has already been confirmed as one of the filming locations connected to Sam Mendes’ Beatles project, with shoots planned in Barcelona and other parts of the country.

Given Almería’s cinematic landscapes — and its authentic historical connection to John Lennon — many locals now strongly suspect the province is involved in recreating parts of that 1966 period.

And frankly, it would make perfect sense.

Will you need to speak English?

Probably not for most background roles.

The majority of the casting calls appear to be for extras and atmosphere performers rather than speaking parts, meaning productions are usually more interested in appearance, age range and availability than language skills.

That said, some basic English could certainly help during filming on an international production, especially when working with assistant directors and crew members from outside Spain.

For specialist roles — musicians, dancers or featured background parts — stronger English skills may occasionally be useful, but there is currently no indication that fluent English is a requirement for the majority of applicants.

Almería: Hollywood’s desert playground

This is hardly the first time Almería has transformed itself for the cameras.

The province has spent decades doubling as:

• The Wild West
• North Africa
• The Middle East
• Ancient kingdoms
• Post-apocalyptic wastelands
• And now perhaps even 1960s Britain

Classic westerns starring Clint Eastwood were filmed here. So were scenes from Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones, Wonder Woman, The Crown and countless international productions.

The region’s unique light, dry climate and dramatic landscapes continue to attract directors from around the world.

How To apply

The main Almería casting currently being referenced is being handled by the Spanish casting company Pilar Moya Casting

Applicants are generally asked to provide:

• Recent photos (face and full-length)
• Age and measurements
• Contact details
• Place of residence
• Availability
• Sometimes a short video introduction

According to Spanish press reports, applications are online only — there are no in-person castings at this stage.

Who are they looking for?

The profiles being requested vary depending on the production, but recent notices connected to filming in Spain have included:

• Men with longer or more natural hair
• People without modern hairstyles
• Individuals without visible tattoos
• Mediterranean, Arab, Latin American and international looks
• Children and teenagers
• Musicians and dancers
• People who can convincingly fit into a 1960s setting

Some Beatles-related castings elsewhere in Spain have specifically asked for people who can recreate “Beatlemania-era” crowds and 1960s concert audiences.

A chance for locals and international residents too

The current casting process is also notable because many roles reportedly do not require professional acting experience.

That means residents from across Andalucía — including many international residents living in Spain — may potentially have the chance to appear in a major global production.

Applicants are generally being asked to submit:

• Recent photos
• Basic measurements
• Contact details
• Availability
• And sometimes short videos

So if you suddenly spot suspiciously Beatles-looking men wandering around Almería with moustaches and mop-top haircuts later this year… now you probably know why.

And somewhere, John Lennon would likely have found that rather amusing too.