Mia McKenna-Bruce says she finds it hard 'to be sexy' as she prepares to play Ringo Starr's wife in new Beatles biopic

By JOHN PAUL BRESLIN FOR THE SCOTTISH MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 16:43, 18 April 2026 | Updated: 16:43, 18 April 2026 Her career is in the ascendancy thanks to her high-profile roles playing an Agatha Christie sleuth, a murderer linked to the Royals and the wife of a Beatle. Now Scotland can lay claim to rising star Mia McKenna-Bruce after the actress revealed she ‘is Scottish’. While Ms McKenna-Bruce was born and raised in England, she said her mother Angela’s family ‘The McKennas’ are Scottish and live in Glasgow. The actress also revealed that her father Bruce served in a Scottish army regiment and proudly wears a kilt to military events and family weddings. Details of her lineage emerged as she spoke to Scots actress Lauren Lyle on her podcast She’s A Rec. When Ms Lyle jokingly asked her guest if she was related to famed Scottish king Robert The Bruce, the actress replied: ‘Yes, I am Scottish. Bruce is very Scottish and we have a Bruce tartan.’ She added: ‘My dad wears a kilt and stuff.’ When Ms Lyle asked where her father is from in Scotland the actress laughed, explaining that – confusingly - the Scottish part of her family is on her mother’s side. Rising star Mia is keen to  make the most of her Scottish heritage Mia will play Ringo Starr's wife Maureen in the new Beatles biopic She said: ‘It’s all a bit chaotic. My dad was in a Scottish regiment in the army, so we go to Scotland a lot for army reunions. It’s really cool. I think that’s why he wears his kilt a lot. ‘But my mum is actually Scottish. My grandparents have Scottish accents.’ When asked where they live, Ms McKenna-Bruce said: ‘Glasgow.’ Ms McKenna-Bruce said her mother also carried out a DNA test to find out where in the world her ancestors came from and discovered her lineage is ‘pure Scottish’. As well as the developments in her career, Ms McKenna-Bruce has enjoyed a number of milestones in her personal life. She married fellow actor Tom Leach in August 2024 - a year after they welcomed their first child Leo. The wedding even had a Scottish twist with her father kitted out in a kilt and a piper from his army regiment – the Lowland Gunners - playing at the ceremony. Ms McKenna-Bruce, who grew up in Bromley and was the eldest of three children, made an early beeline for the performing arts. The actress started her career in Eastenders aged 11 and later starred in The Story of Tracy Beaker - the CBBC adaptation of the hugely popular Jacqueline Wilson novels. However, her roles have become bigger in recent years after she won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2024. Earlier this year, she enjoyed rave reviews for her leading role as Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent in a Netflix adaptation of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials Mystery. The 28-year-old actress played a sleuth unravelling a 1920s murder mystery alongside co-stars Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. She is currently starring as murderer Jane Andrews – who worked as an aide for the then Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson in the 90s – in ITV drama The Lady. She is also due to star as Maureen Starkey, the first wife of Ringo Starr, in Sam Mendes’ upcoming series of four Beatles biopics. When Ms Lyle asked about her part in the upcoming Beatles biopic, Ms McKenna-Bruce maintained she is sworn to secrecy. She said: ‘I can say it’s great. That’s as much as I can say. And it’s so annoying because I want to say everything but I just can’t.’ Ms Lyle and Ms McKenna-Bruce also joked with each other about a trend for actors to wear Ugg Boots on set, stating that they have almost become a marker of professional status. Ms McKenna-Bruce said: ‘They started as a comfort thing but now it’s become a bit of a trademark. Like, if you’re not wearing Ugg boots, you’re not one of the real actors.’ Mia with Agatha Christie co-stars Helena Bonham-Carter and Martin Freeman Ms McKenna-Bruce said that she was provided with pink, rubber platform crocs while filming The Lady and has held on to them. She also spoke about filming romantic scenes with taller love interests given her diminutive 4ft 9in height. She said: ‘I find the hardest thing in the world is to be sexy. When someone tells you to be sexy in a scene, I’m like “I don’t know how to do this.” ‘Thank god for intimacy co-ordinators. I’m like: “Do I look sexy?”. ‘I also have this thing where I don’t want people to think that I think I look sexy. ‘I want to feel sexy, but I don’t want people to think I think I look sexy.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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