When “Yesterday” hit theaters in 2019, it was a fresh and fun take on a world without The Beatles. The romantic comedy, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, featured a lovable cast and a catchy soundtrack full of Beatles classics.
The movie was a surprise hit, especially with fans of feel-good films and music lovers alike. But since then, many people have been wondering—what happened to the cast of “Yesterday”? Let’s take a look at where the stars of this charming film are now, six years later in 2025.
Himesh Patel – From Unknown to In-Demand Star
When Himesh Patel played Jack Malik, a struggling musician who suddenly becomes the only person who remembers The Beatles, many moviegoers saw him for the first time. Before “Yesterday,” Patel was mainly known for his long-running role on the British soap opera EastEnders.
But after his breakout performance in “Yesterday,” Patel’s career took off. He went on to star in Christopher Nolan’s 2020 sci-fi thriller Tenet, where he played Mahir, a supporting but important role. He also appeared in the Netflix disaster-comedy Don’t Look Up in 2021, acting alongside stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Patel didn’t stop there. In 2022, he earned praise for his performance in the HBO Max series Station Eleven, based on the bestselling novel. His emotional role as Jeevan Chaudhary won him a whole new group of fans and serious critical acclaim.
In 2025, Himesh Patel is working on both film and TV projects, including a new Apple TV+ drama where he plays a tech entrepreneur facing a global crisis. He’s also rumored to be in talks for a lead role in a West End musical—maybe he’ll sing some Beatles tunes again?
Lily James – Romantic Star Keeps Shining
Lily James, who played Ellie Appleton—Jack’s loyal friend and love interest—was already a well-known actress before “Yesterday.” She had starred in Cinderella (2015), Baby Driver (2017), and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018).
After “Yesterday,” James continued to land leading roles. In 2021, she starred in The Dig on Netflix and received strong reviews. But it was her role as Pamela Anderson in the Hulu series Pam & Tommy (2022) that made headlines. James completely transformed herself for the role and earned award nominations for her performance.
She followed that up with a mix of indie dramas and big studio films, and she’s been praised for taking on bold, challenging roles. In 2024, she starred in a British crime drama that won awards at international film festivals.
In 2025, Lily James is focusing on her work as a producer. She recently launched her own production company and is developing a romantic drama set during the 1970s music scene in London.
Joel Fry – The Best Friend Who’s Going Big
Joel Fry played Rocky, Jack’s hilarious and clueless best friend who helped manage his career. His role added a lot of humor to “Yesterday,” and fans loved his comic timing.
After the film, Fry stayed active in both comedy and drama. In 2021, he had a role in Disney’s live-action Cruella, where he played Jasper, one of the famous henchmen from the original 101 Dalmatians story. His performance was a fan favorite.
In 2023, Fry took a surprising turn and starred in a dark crime series on BBC, showing his range as a serious actor. He has also voiced characters in animated films and even performed in theater productions.
Right now, Joel Fry is working on a new romantic comedy film, which he’s also co-writing. It’s expected to release in 2026 and could mark his debut as a screenwriter.
Ed Sheeran – Music Icon Turned Actor (Briefly)
Pop superstar Ed Sheeran made a fun cameo in “Yesterday,” playing a fictional version of himself. He encouraged Jack to become famous and helped him record Beatles songs—but of course, it was all part of the movie’s fantasy world.
After “Yesterday,” Sheeran continued focusing mostly on his music career. He released multiple albums, went on world tours, and even became one of the most-streamed artists of the 2020s.
Although he hasn’t done much acting since “Yesterday,” he did appear in a few short comedy sketches and music-related projects. He said in interviews that acting was fun, but he doesn’t plan to become a full-time actor anytime soon.
In 2025, Ed Sheeran is back in the studio working on a new acoustic album and planning a summer tour in Europe.
Kate McKinnon – Still Making Us Laugh
Kate McKinnon played Debra Hammer, Jack’s over-the-top music agent in “Yesterday.” Known for her work on Saturday Night Live, McKinnon brought her signature energy and sarcasm to the film.
Since then, she’s been involved in several comedy films and voice roles. In 2022, she starred in The Bubble on Netflix, and in 2023, she appeared in Barbie, playing one of the versions of Barbie in the hit movie.
She left SNL in 2022 after a long and successful run but has continued to work in comedy and animation. In 2025, she’s lending her voice to a new DreamWorks animated movie and is working on a comedy series for Peacock.
Other Cast Members
Other supporting cast members from “Yesterday” have also been busy:
- Sophia Di Martino, who played Carol, later gained fame for her role as Sylvie in the Marvel series Loki.
- Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar, who played Jack’s parents, remain respected figures in British film and TV. Syal recently published a memoir and appeared in a Netflix series about British-Asian families.
The Legacy of “Yesterday”
“Yesterday” remains a unique film. It asked a wild question—what if The Beatles never existed, but you could remember and perform their music? The movie mixed humor, romance, and a lot of heart. While it didn’t win major awards, it built a loyal fan base and earned over $150 million worldwide.
In a world full of remakes and sequels, “Yesterday” stood out as something original. Its cast helped make it memorable—and for many of them, it was the start of even bigger things.
Final Thoughts
It’s always fun to look back and see where actors end up after a big movie. The cast of “Yesterday” has moved on to exciting projects in music, film, TV, and more. While the film may have imagined a world without The Beatles, it definitely gave us a reason to keep watching the stars it introduced to the world.
And who knows—maybe one day we’ll see the cast reunite in another musical movie. Until then, we’ll keep enjoying their performances—and humming “Hey Jude” along the way.
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