Los Angeles, Feb 22 (.) Japanese actress-singer Anna Sawai is stepping into the role of one of music history’s most scrutinised and fascinating figures, Yoko Ono in the forthcoming Beatles biopic, stating how excited she is to essay her role.
The series will comprise four interconnected films, each told from the perspective of a different member of The Beatles, with all installments slated for release in April 2028.
Sawai told PEOPLE at the season 2 premiere of her Apple TV series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 19, where she spoke about what excites her most about playing such a well-known figure in pop culture history.
“It’s just exciting because Ono’s story is so inspirational to me, and people really don’t know the true person that she was,” she said.
“She’s an incredible artist. And also, she was just an independent woman and people didn’t like that. They wanted John Lennon for themselves and she was an easy target. And I think it’s very meaningful for me to be able to tell her story,” she added.
Her performance as Lady Mariko in the FX drama “Shōgun” earned her both an Emmy Award in 2024 and a Golden Globe in 2025, establishing her as a formidable dramatic talent on the global stage.
In contrast to the earlier phase of her career — defined by rigorous auditioning and incremental opportunity, Sawai now operates from a position of creative agency, selecting projects that resonate with her narrative convictions.
Amid the momentum, her return to production on the second season of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” has provided a measure of continuity and professional grounding.
“Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” season 2 premieres on Apple TV on February 27.
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