As we reach the end of the first month of 2026 it has been well over six years - and counting - since Daniel Craig starred in the last instalment of the lucrative James Bond franchaise.
But we now know with some certainty that there WILL be a sequel to Craig’s swansong performance in No Time To Die.
Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has been announced as director, while Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight will be writing the script of the film that seems likely to start filming this year with a possible late-2027 release date in cinemas.
Now it’s just the minor matter of finding the third main part of the jigsaw - the actor (or actress) who will take on the iconic role - and the casting should be confirmed sooner rather than later.
It will be a life-changing role for whoever takes it on and becomes only 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.
Since Daniel Craig hung up his tux there have been many different actors rumoured to be in the frame, led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson who had reportedly been offered the part (he clearly hadn’t).
All bets were off when Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
Here are the 12 leading contenders according to the bookies.
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5. Anthony Boyle - 8/1
At the start of November 2025 the bookies reckoned that Anthony Boyle was the favourite for the spy role - and to become the first Northern Irish Bond. His odds have cooled slightly, but he's still the 8/1 joint fourth favourite - not bad when he wasn't even in the running just a couple of months ago. He found fame in London's West End, playing Scorpius Malfoy in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' (winning an Olivier Award). He's gained further prominence for playing Arthus Guiness in recent hit Netflix television drama 'The House of Guiness' - which is written by Steven Knight, who is already on board as scriptwriter on the new Bond film. | Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Found
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6. Jack Lowden - 12/1
'Slow Horses' has made Jack Lowden a global star, and he's priced at 12/1 to become the first James Bond from Scotland since the original (and the best) - Sean Connery. His odds have narrowed in the last couple of weeks, having been 18/1 at the turn of the year. | AFP via Getty Images
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7. Jonathan Bailey - 12/1
A new-ish name in the running to become the next James Bond is Jonathan Bailey. He wasn't even being talked about for the role before mid-2025 but is now the 12/1 joint sixth favourite. He started his career on the stage, winning an Olivier Award, before rising to fame in television series 'Broadchurch'. He's now a big screen star, with roles in huge blockbusters like 'Wicked' and 'Jurassic World Rebirth'. | Getty Images for Universal Pictu
8. Damson Idris - 12/1
Also priced at 12/1 to become the British superspy is Damson Idris. He found fame starring in crime drama 'Snowfall' and showed he can handle big action blockbusters last year by playing Formula One driver Joshua Pearce in 'F1'. | Getty Images