Who should be the next James Bond?

From reported frontrunners like Aaron Taylor-Johnson to long-rumored contenders and off-the-wall options, here are 21 actors who could take on the role of 007

By Jack Smart | January 4, 2023 | 12:28am

Film Features James Bond

(L-R:) Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Christopher Jue/Getty Images), Lashana Lynch (Joe Maher/Getty Images), Dan Stevens (Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Deadline), Regé-Jean Page (John Phillips/Getty Images)
Graphic: The A.V. Club

Now that James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have announced their intention to find a (thirty-something) long-term successor to Daniel Craig, thoughts turn once again to the question of just who should step into the tux and take the keys to the Aston Martin.

While Broccoli has been saying for months that “nobody’s in the running,” the internet hivemind and The A.V. Club’s Slack channel still have plenty of thoughts about who could play the iconic secret agent next, especially with new reports of Aaron Taylor-Johnson emerging as a frontrunner for the role after a successful meeting with Bond producers.

First, some ground rules: the next Bond will surely, and arguably must, have roots in the U.K. (How did Aussie George Lazenby sneak in?) They must look impeccably dashing while holding a martini in a tuxedo. And apparently, they must be ready to sign up for “a 10-, 12-year commitment,” per Broccoli. Here, then, is a look at actors, from long-rumored contenders to off-the-wall suggestions, who could be next to introduce themselves as “Bond, James Bond.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Emerging seemingly out of nowhere, reports are circulating that is the current frontrunner for the role of James Bond. While Taylor-Johnson wasn’t mentioned in earlier predictions, his resume seems to check all the boxes: he’s recognizable but not too recognizable, he’s got action experience () and franchise experience (, ), and he’s only 32, which fits within the “30-something” description from Barbara Broccoli. He’s one of the youngest candidates in the mix, too, which could be an advantage if the producers are looking to revamp the character to appeal to a younger audience.

Regé-Jean Page

Amid Hollywood’s ongoing attempts to correct systemic inequity, fans and industry members alike have embraced the notion of diversity after 60 years of white Bonds. And if a non-white actor is indeed on the table, an up-and-comer like Regé-Jean Page could be the ticket. His scorchingly hot breakout on Bridgerton had producers and casting directors scrambling to capitalize on his charisma and very (very) good looks. In the two years since, the internet has kept his name afloat as the next possible 007; Page may, in fact, be . Plus, after directing Page in the Bond-esque Netflix film The Gray Man, the Russo brothers have practically as his campaign managers for the role.

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Jonathan Bailey

Or Bond could be played by another Bridgerton breakout: Jonathan Bailey, who took on that show’s central role in its just-as-buzzy second season. Added bonus: if you squint, he could almost pass for Sean Connery’s son. But, as with the idea of a female Bond (see: the next slide), questions emerge about the fundamentals of 007 as a character: Does Bond have to be a womanizer who beds women around the globe? If Craig’s version in 2012’s , could the new Bond, like Bailey himself, actually be gay?

Lashana Lynch

Let’s clarify that there already is a canonical 007 in rotation: Lashana Lynch stole the show in as Nomi, an MI6 agent who inherited the license to kill title from Daniel Craig’s Bond. Now for the big question: could cinema’s most iconic spy finally be played by a woman? And a Black woman at that? Despite Barbara Broccoli’s previous that women shouldn’t play men’s roles (and Ana de Armas ), perhaps a female Bond—Jamie Bond?—isn’t as unlikely as we might think.

Idris Elba

If you Google “next James Bond,” the face you’re most likely to see is Idris Elba, who’s been in the dream-casting conversation for years (in 2018 he ). He’s handsome, British, effortlessly cool, and has experience in an array of action-packed roles. But with news that the next Bond’s tenure will be a long one, Elba has probably aged out of the role. After all, he’s only four years younger than Craig, whose Bond grappled with aging in a way that the franchise probably wouldn’t want to revisit. Elba himself as much last year. But considering how long he’s been affiliated with the role, it could be in producers’ best interest to just grant our wishes.

Henry Golding

Another up-and-coming star, Henry Golding made for an exquisite romantic lead in Crazy Rich Asians. Considering that character was also a fundamentally noble hero who’s the height of class and sophistication, it’s not a big leap to imagine him as the “next James Bond.” Golding has even the possibility that he could be in contention for the role.

Henry Cavill

If you’re a betting person, you might put your money on another Henry as the next Bond: Henry Cavill tops the list at British bookmaker with 2/1 odds. The Superman and Witcher star is no stranger to daring stunts, and it’s undeniable that he looks great in a tux.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Lowkey the most stylish person on this list, Chiwetel Ejiofor exudes a Bond-like suaveness on red carpets—as good a testing ground as any to be the next in line for the iconic role. He’s one of those actors who can do it all, from prestige drama (he earned an Oscar nomination for 12 Years A Slave) to blockbuster action flicks like Doctor Strange.

Tom Hardy

Now we come to the first of two British megastars who go by Tom H. Listed with 5/1 odds by , Tom Hardy muscled his way into the Bond casting conversation by means of an erroneous tweet in early 2020 alleging he’d earned the role. Despite his character-actor tendencies (from Bane to Bond?), he’s shown in Mad Max and Venom that he has what it takes to lead a franchise.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland could make for a fascinating choice as the next 007. His leading man bona fides have been established as Spider-Man. But is it even possible to leap from Marvel to MI6? While some moviegoers might see Holland as an off-the-wall choice, others could view him as a natural to inherit the role.

Richard Madden

Speaking of natural, there’s something about Richard Madden’s smolder that puts him right in line with Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and the like. Rumors have indeed been swirling, and even his Game Of Thrones co-star Kit Harington has : “I don’t want to curse him. Any time anyone starts to get rumored for Bond, it becomes a curse on them. And the reason I don’t want to do that is that I actually do think he would make a very good Bond,” Harington said.

Dev Patel

After an Oscar-nominated turn in Lion and a stunning performance in Green Knight, Dev Patel is at his peak as an actor. He’s also sexy and has a certain devilish look in the eye—two important criteria for any Bond, even if the producers intend to reimagine the character.

Matt Smith

Matt Smith is experiencing quite the career resurgence this year, with his lauded performance on and his, well, other performance in . The one-time Dr. Who is no stranger to inheriting iconic British characters and making them his own. Let’s ignore the fact that , “I don’t think I’m handsome enough … I’m more of a Bond villain.”

Emily Blunt

Does Emily Blunt happen to be a woman? Yes. But does she have a proven record of ? And can she wear the hell out of a ? Yes and yes. Despite her notorious aversion for long-running franchises (she turned down the role of Black Widow, and whatever you do, about Sue Storm), Blunt’s ability to blend action, high class, and capital-A acting would make for a terrific Bond.

Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed is probably too cool to play Bond. Consider the way the Oscar winner shows up on red carpets in unexpected yet impeccable looks; outfitting him in something as basic as 007’s tux might diminish his innate luster. Nonetheless, when Broccoli and Wilson talk about reinventing Bond and watching him evolve, someone as singularly riveting as Ahmed would more than .

John Boyega

The tricky thing about adding John Boyega to a list of potential Bonds is the actor’s own on the Happy Sad Confused podcast: “When you’re Black, I don’t know how that goes… If that’s what they’re doing, then that is very surprising to me.” His befuddlement notwithstanding, this British-Nigerian superstar would give such a storied franchise a welcome jolt of fresh energy. And although Finn in the Star Wars films is more bumbling swashbuckler than suave charmer, that franchise made Boyega a legit enough action star to put him in the running.

Dan Stevens

Dan Stevens may have the most varied acting credits of any star on this list. He’s gone from haughty heartthrob on Downton Abbey to playing a robotic specimen of a perfect partner in , and somewhere in there he even played the And in Beauty And The Beast. (Just kidding. He was, clearly, Beauty.) Closest to 007, perhaps, is 2014’s , where Stevens proved sleek action is as much in his wheelhouse as any off-the-wall genre.

James Norton

Rising star James Norton has the piercing eyes and deadly-sharp jawbone one might associate with MI6’s most suave agent. And since the actor is known for UK dramas like , Grantchester, and War & Peace, he’s as British as they come—possibly, in fact, suffering from less name recognition among audiences across the pond. But in gangster thriller series McMafia, Norton donned a tux and spoke curt Russian on a phone with international allies and enemies alike, which isn’t a far cry from Bond’s job description.

Lewis Tan

If producer Barbara Broccoli wants to cast a Bond who can handle the role for a while—and isn’t keen on training someone in the physical requirements from scratch—wouldn’t a stunt performer and martial artist like Lewis Tan fit the bill? The Wu Assassins and Mortal Kombat star is devastatingly handsome with charisma to spare; maybe leading his swanky new series is a warm-up act.

Sope Dìrísù

Handsome? Check. Can exude cockiness, but with a heart of gold? As the swoon-worthy title role , check. Screen and stage stalwart Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù would bring a lot to the table as the world’s most famous secret agent. The Gangs Of London star reportedly tries to do all his own stunts, and has of action roles.

Helen Mirren

Sure, the next 007’s decade-long tenure means it’s likely a younger actor will take on the role. But Dame Helen Mirren has to play a Bond villain, and who’s to deny she’s got the badass bona fides? Her best-known role, which made her an award-winning staple in British TV for years, was Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison on Prime Suspect, which thematically shares plenty with Bond. Just go for it, producers! There is nothing like a Dame.

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