As we reach the end of summer 2026, it’ll soon be seven long years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo following the hugely -successful last instalment of the money-spinning James Bond franchaise. No spoliers, but it was quite the big finish.
There’s definitely going to be a sequel to No Time To Die - with Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve on board to direct a script written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But we still don’t know the most important part - the actor who will take on the iconic role.
Whoever becomes the eighth 007 following Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Back in 2024 it was reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the part - but it turned out it was premature.
His chances seemed to be over when Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s and presuambly were on board with him taking the rile, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios last year.
Earlier this year Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, updated fans, explaining: “I know you’re all wondering when we’re going to announce who’s playing James Bond. Don’t get too excited. Please know that we’re taking the time to do this with care and deep respect. It is the dream of a lifetime for all of us to bring audiences this next chapter, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Apparently auditions are still ongoing, but it’s thought that the casting announcement will be made before the end of the year - at the very latest.
Here are the 10 current leading 007 contenders, as of August 17, according to the bookies.
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1. Jack Lowden - 5/2
Jack Lowden is now, for the first time, the favourite to be the next James Bond - priced at just 5/2. 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'. He'd be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery (who was, obviously, also the best). | Getty Images
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2. Callum Turner - 3/1
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner has been the favourite since his recent marriage to pop star Dua Lipa, but has now dropped down to being a 3/1 shot. 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. If he does become Bond, don't bet against Dua Lipa also bagging the prestigious Bond theme gig too. | Getty Images for Elton John AIDS
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3. Louis Partridge - 10/3
A big mover in the last couple of months has been English actor Louis Partridge, who rose as high as second favourite. He was a child actor who found fame in Netflix film 'Enola Holmes' starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown and (other Bond favourite) Henry Cavill. His successful acting career has continued in hit television series 'Disclaimer' and 'House of Guinness', but 007 would be a huge step up fo him. He's now the 10/3 third favourite. | Getty Images for Netflix
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4. Harris Dickinson - 4/1
Harris Dickinson has had a string of acclaimed film roles in his short career to date, including 'Baby Girl', 'The King's Man', 'Triangle of Sadness', 'Where the Crawdads Sing', and 'The Iron Claw'. His directorial debut 'Urchin' premiered at the 2025 London Film Festival. He was challenging to be the favourite earlier this year, but he's now drifted out to a 6/1 shot. | Getty Images