Barry Keoghan has purchased a protection dog as he prepares to play Ringo Starr in an upcoming Beatles biopic series. The 33-year-old Irish actor, known for his role in Saltburn, has been training with an Alsatian named Duke, supplied by security firm Lawless K9. Such dogs are popular among high-profile individuals, including Premier League footballers, to deter burglars.
Keoghan has faced intense public scrutiny, particularly after his split from singer Sabrina Carpenter. Instagram clips show him learning to handle Duke and throwing him a blue chew toy. A trainer from Lawless K9 noted that Keoghan picked up the training quickly and that Duke's protection training is being done carefully over time.
The actor is set to star in a four-film Beatles series, with separate films for each band member releasing simultaneously in 2028. Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Filming has begun in London, which has been transformed to resemble 1960s New York.
Criticism has surrounded the casting, with some fans deeming it 'horribly miscast'. John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird, questioned the choice of Mescal, suggesting more Liverpool actors should have been considered. However, some observers believe Keoghan and Mescal bear the closest resemblance to their characters.
