As we enter November 2026, it’s now over seven years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo following his fifth and final starring role in the James Bond franchaise.
We’ve know for for some time now that there will certainly be sequel to No Time To Die, directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay writter by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But we still don’t know who will take on the iconic role, becoming the eighth actor to play 007 following Sean Connery (the best, obviously), David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
It seems like an age since 2024, when it was widely reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had bagged the part but it turned out not to be the case.
He appears to now be all-but out of the running now that Amazon MGM Studios have taken over ‘full creative control’ of the frachaise.
Last month it was reported that four actors were invited for a final screentest earlier this month - namely Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and a mystery fourth wannabe-superspy.
Lowden had earlier become favourite after Richard Osman said Jack Lowden would be the next Bond in his The Rest is Entertainment podcast.
But he may have spoken prematurely as it seems that a final decision has yet to be made and a couple of brand new names have entered the frame in the last couple of weeks.
Here are the 12 actors now leading the charge to play Bond, according to Coral Bookmakers.
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1. Jack Lowden - 4/7
Jack Lowden had long been an outside chance to become the next Bond but had his odds slashed when Richard Osman said he would be handed the role in his 'The Rest is Entertainment' podcast. He had dropped down to second favourite for a few weeks but is now back at the top of the pile - with odds of 4/7. Equally at home on the stage or on the screen, Lowden first found fame in 2016 BBC miniseries of 'War & Peace' and has since starred in the likes of 'Dunkirk' and 'Mary Queen of Scots'. He's reached his biggest audience to date starring opposite Gary Oldman in acclaimed spy drama 'Slow Horses', for which he was recently Emmy-nominated. He'd be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery (who was, obviously, also the best). The bookies reckon they might have found their Bond, although his odds have slipped slightly in the last couple of weeks. | Getty Images
2. Callum Turner - 5/2
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner became favourite to play Bond following his recent marriage to pop star Dua Lipa. He's now the second most likely candidate to step into 007's handmade shoes with odds of 5/2. His most recent major television role was as Major John Egan in 'Masters of the Air' and he's recently been on the big screen in David Freyne's latest film 'Eternity'. His new film, 'Rosebush Pruning', sees him starring opposite his new wife and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival - where he did little to dispel the 007 rumours. Dua Lipa is also one of the favourites to bag the prestigious Bond theme gig too. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Henry Golding - 5/1
The big news this week is that the odds on Henry Golding becoming the new Bond have been slashed to 5/1. Prior to the last couple of days nobody seems to have even suggested him for the role, so maybe somebody knows something. He found global fame in romantic comedies comedies 'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'Last Christmas' and is also no stranger to an action flick, having starred in 'The Gentlemen' and 'Snake Eyes'. | Getty Images for The Red Sea Int
4. James Nelson-Joyce - 6/1
James Nelson-Joyce is another name that recently came from nowhere to join the favourites with odds of 6/1. Known for playing tough guys he's appeared in the likes of 'The Nest', 'The Gold', 'Guy Ritchie's The Covenant' and 'This City Is Ours'. James Bond would be a huge step-up for an actor yet to find wide recognition. | Getty Images