Who will be the next James Bond?

Who on earth will be the next James Bond? It’s a question that’s been on the lips of the film industry’s kingmakers since Daniel Craig first spoke about hanging up his tuxedo. Now that No Time to Die, the long-delayed 25th instalment of the series and the actor’s fifth and final outing as the martini-sipping secret agent, is scheduled to land in cinemas on 30 September, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive once again—and the frontrunners are emerging.

Among the contenders for the coveted role of James Bond is Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton’s dashing Duke of Hastings; Henry Golding who won hearts in Crazy Rich Asians; and Lashana Lynch, who takes on the 007 mantle in the new blockbuster while Bond is in exile. Could she really become the first woman to front the franchise, or will an established heartthrob long tipped for the part pip her to the post? Only time will tell.

This story was originally published on British Vogue.

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Regé-Jean Page

Most recently, the internet’s hopes have fallen on the shoulders of Bridgerton’s gallant leading man. “If you’re a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown, that people regard well, then people start saying the ‘B’ word,” the actor has said of the rumours. “It’s like a merit badge… I’m glad to have the badge, I’m glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge, but it’s a badge.” Sounds quite like 007-esque pragmatism, if you ask us.

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Henry Golding

The British-Malaysian dreamboat could certainly make a bid to be the first Asian Bond. He was characteristically modest when asked about the speculation by Vogue, saying: “Even to be in that conversation, it’s an honour, but it’s out of my hands.”

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When it emerged that the rising star would play Nomi, a formidable operative who inherits James Bond’s licence to kill after he decamps to Jamaica in No Time to Die, many wondered if she was poised to succeed Craig. “It would depend on a lot of things,” she told Vogue when asked if she would accept the offer. “Nomi represents one thing in this movie, but if she was going to represent more down the line, I would want to talk about the black female experience to the high heavens, and I don’t know if people are ready for that.” Here’s hoping that door is still open.

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Sam Heughan

Best known for Outlander and The Spy Who Dumped Me, the Scottish actor has been open about his desire to take over. “I have been up for Bond,” he recently said on the podcast Just The Facts with Alex Zane. “I went up for it when they did ‘Bond 21’ [Casino Royale]. It was an amazing experience and I was completely out of my depth. But I think now I feel the right age for it. I feel capable enough to do it. I’d love the opportunity to throw my hat in the ring.”

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Idris Elba

The London-born actor has been one of the most talked-about potential replacements for Craig in recent years. The dictionary definition of suave, he would also likely pick up where his predecessor left off by displaying serious action-man credentials. In 2018, he sent the industry into a frenzy with a single tweet: “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”

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Paul Mescal

He dazzled us in a football kit and silver chain as the sensitive Connell in Normal People, but the Maynooth native looks equally good in black tie. Young though he is, he’d be a stellar choice. After featuring on a Digital Spy poll on who should be next to take on the role of Bond, he told the publication: “Would I play Bond? Yeah? I don’t know. If it ever came my way, we’d have a discussion about it… I don’t want to say yes or no. I am a massive fan, and will continue to be, regardless.”

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Tom Hardy

Hardy garnered serious acting plaudits for films like The Revenant and Mad Max (and, incidentally, has a rugged handsomeness, not unlike Craig). He often plays the villain, but can turn on the charm as well.

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Tom Holland

Having already played one iconic character in Spiderman, Tom Holland has thrown his hat into the ring with 007-worthy confidence, telling Variety that “as a young British lad who loves cinema, I’d love to be James Bond. So, you know, I’m just putting that out there. I look pretty good in a suit.

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Richard Madden

It was Richard Madden’s turn in the BBC’s Bodyguard that created a buzz around his Bond potential. But Madden also told Vogue that he would “absolutely” play second fiddle to a female Bond. “If it was a good part. If it was an interesting part, a Bond boy would be an interesting dynamic. Why not?”

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Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya’s performance in horror film Get Out catapulted him to international recognition, as well as earning him Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. While on the young side to fill Bond’s shoes, the Black Panther actor would be a charismatic choice.

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Tom Hiddleston

The success of BBC drama The Night Manager ensured the British actor became a serious contender for Bond, and saw him climb most bookies’ rankings to become a favourite for the part.

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James Norton

Bookies slashed the odds on Norton taking over the role following his acclaimed performance in the BBC’s War and Peace in 2016, but his slick turn as Alex Goodman in crime drama McMafia really raised the stakes.

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John Boyega

His youthfulness may mean Peckham-born Boyega has a few more years to wait until he is a serious contender for 007. Few could deny though that the Star Wars actor has the talent, as well as the debonair looks, to take the helm of the franchise.

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Henry Cavill

Reportedly passed over for being too young the last time a new Bond was appointed, the British actor has taken on the role of Superman since then—and has shown off his action prowess in Mission: Impossible—Fallout. As comfortable in a sharp suit as in a red cape, he could also deploy the secret-agent skills he picked up when starring in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

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Cillian Murphy

Murphy’s impressive CV speaks for itself, and the Peaky Blinders actor has found himself one of the more recent favourites to take the role.

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Jamie Dornan

The Northern Irish actor’s name has come up in conversations around the future Bond ever since his Fifty Shades days. There’s no denying that former Calvin Klein model Dornan does Bond-worthy suiting ever so well.

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Luke Evans

Evans has the acting skills (and the chiselled jaw) for the part. His casting would also make the Welsh actor the first openly gay actor to play the spy.