James Norton transforms into Beatles manager Brian Epstein as he is seen on set for the first time alongside Paul Mescal

He lived up to his heartthrob status as Mr Claus in the M&S Christmas advert. And James Norton kept his clean-shaven look as he was seen on set of the Beatles biopic for the first time on Friday. The actor, 41, will play manager Brian Epstein in the four-part film, told from each band member's perspective. Dressed in a smart three-piece suit, James bore a striking resemblance to Brian, who was often referred to as the 'fifth Beatle'.Brian played an instrumental part in transforming the band from a local Liverpool club act into a global cultural phenomenon – despite having no prior experience in artist management. Paul Mescal, 30, who plays a young Paul McCartney, was also seen filming scenes. Harris Dickinson, 30, plays John Lennon, while Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn, 32, is George Harrison and Barry Keoghan, 34, portrays Ringo Starr in the biopic. He became a heartthrob as Mr Claus in the M&S Christmas advert. And James Norton kept his clean-shaven look as he was seen on set of the Beatles biopic for the first time on FridayEntitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year.The movies will each take the perspective of one member of The Beatles as they evolve from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and then breaking up in 1970.It's the first time that surviving Beatles Paul and Ringo, and the families of the late John and George, have given the rights to feature films about them.Sam's project described as the first 'bingeable theatrical experience' also stars Aimee Lou Wood, 32, as George's model wife Pattie Boyd and Anna Sawai, 34, as Yoko Ono. Mia McKenna-Bruce, 29, will appear as Ringo's first wife, Maureen Starkey, while Harry Lloyd, 42, plays George Martin, the producer who became known as the 'fifth Beatle'.In the ambitious four-film anthology, each instalment will tell the story of The Beatles from a different band member's perspective.All four films are due to be released simultaneously in 2028.Over summer, the foursome were seen recreating the famous zebra crossing moment at Abbey Road, for the album of the same name as the iconic venue. Dressed in a smart three-piece suit, James bore a striking resemblance to Brian, who was often referred to as the 'Fifth Beatle' Paul Mescal, 30, who plays a young Paul McCartney was also seen filming scenes Entitled The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event, the project was announced last year Sam's project described as the first 'bingeable theatrical experience' also stars Aimee Lou Wood, 32, as George's model wife Pattie Boyd The movies will each take the perspective of one member of The Beatles as they evolve from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and then breaking up in 1970 M&S won over the ladies with a bare-chested James Norton in this year's Christmas ad In the ad, James (aka Santa Claus) shaves off his beard on the command of his wife The cover image was taken by Scottish photographer Iain Macmillan, a close friend of John, who balanced precariously on a ladder in the middle of the north London road. He had just ten minutes to get his shot so he got the Fab Four to walk back and forth continuously over the now famous zebra crossing. Sam Mendes, who is directing, had wanted to recreate the 1969 cover, but it was reported at the time Westminster council wouldn't allow filming to take place there.It was later confirmed to the Daily Mail by the council that filming would go ahead in the location and they were working closely with production teams to facilitate filming.