Ever since Daniel Craig announced that ‘No Time To Die’ would be his last James Bond film, there has been feverish speculation about his successor.
The successful candidate will become the eighth person to play Ian Fleming’s iconic character, following actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
James Bond: Why the next Scottish actor to play the part may need to say 'stirred, not shaken' – Scotsman comment
And some have suggested that it might be time for a woman to take on the world-saving roles – with one actress who has already technically held the 007 title amongst the most hotly-tipped.
Betting company William Hill are currently quoting odds for 13 actresses to don the tuxedo and enjoy a vodka martini, shaken not stirred.
Here they are, from favourite to outsider.
Read more:
. TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 10: Daniel Craig attends Netflix "Glass Onion" world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Netflix)
The rumour mill went into overdrive about the identity of his successor after Daniel Craig announced he would not be playing James Bond again. Photo: Vivien Killilea
. Lashana Lynch
About to appear in the much anticipated film The Woman King alongside Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch technically took over the 007 codename from Daniel Craig in No Time To Die. Could she retain the iconic number and be promoted to lead role in the next instalment? There's a 33/1 chance according to the bookies, making her the joint favourite actress to land the role. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer
5. Karen Gillan
Having already played major roles in high-grossing franchaises Doctor Who, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers and Jumanji, Karen Gillan is one of Scotland's most successful actors ever. She's 50/1 to add Bond to her money-spinning CV. Photo: Vivien Killilea
6. Lupita Nyong'o
Another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Panther star Lupita Nyong'o recently starred in Jordan Peele's latest film Nope. The first non-Brit on this list, she's also one of the most highly decorated, having won an Academy Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Despite this, her odds are a lengthy 80/1. Photo: JC Olivera
7. Jodie Comer
BAFTA-winning actress Jodie Comer shot to global fame in the television series Killing Eve. In that show the Scouser plays a cold-blooded Russian assassin - she's now 100/1 to switch from antihero to hero as Bond. Photo: Tristan Fewings
8. Lily James
Lily James' star-making performance was in the lead role of the live action remake of Cinderella and she has an impressive number of screen credits including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Baby Driver, Darkest Hour, Yesterday, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and musical Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. She'll next be seen in rom-com What's Love Got To Do With It? and is a 100/1 bet to add a James Bond film to that list. Photo: Tommaso Boddi