Queen’s Gambit star Jacob Fortune-Lloyd to play Brian Epstein in feature film

The Queen’s Gambit actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd will play Brian Epstein in the first feature film about the Jewish music impresario’s life.

Midas Man, which starts production later this year, charts Epstein’s dazzling, tumultuous and ultimately tragically short career, which saw him guide a series of acts to stratospheric fame, including The Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer and Cilla Black. 

The Liverpudlian native opened his own theatre to promote and launch the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Cream and Pink Floyd, many of whom performed on the same bill. 

Midas Man is directed by internationally-acclaimed director Jonas Akerlund and written by Jewish News journalist  Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham.

Fortune-Lloyd recently dazzled audiences with his portrayal of chess prodigy-turned-journalist Townes in the Netflix hit series, alongside Anya Taylor-Joy. The rising British actor also starred in the BBC’s adaptation of Wolf Hall, historical drama series Medici and Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker. 

He said: “It’s a huge privilege to play Brian Epstein, a man who made such an important and lasting cultural impact, but who struggled to find a secure place in a world he helped to shape. 

“He was a fascinating person with great talent, ambition and courage, and I’m so honoured to be given the opportunity to represent him.”