As we enter October 2026, it’s now almost exactly seven years since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and handed back his gun following the hugely-successful last instalment of the James Bond franchaise (it was released on September 30, 2021).
We’ve known for months that there will be sequel to No Time To Die - directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But there’s still no news on 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.
Back in 2024 it was reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the part but it turned out not to be the case - and he appears to now be out of the running.
His chances were perhaps over 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. He was thought to be their choice and the new bosses seem to want to go their own way.
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 15 actors leading the charge to play Bond, according to the bookies.
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5. Mark Rowley - 12/1
A completely new name in the frame is Paisley-born Scottish actor Mark Rowley, whose acting break came when he was cast in BBC Scotland soap 'River City'. Still fairly unknown, he's also appeared in 'The Last Kingdom' and 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' in recent years. If the casting team want a new face as Bond then Rowley could be their man. He's the 12/1 fourth favourite. | Getty Images
6. Jack O'Connell - 14/1
Soon to be seen playing ruthless editor of The Sun newspaper in Danny Boyle's new film 'Ink', Jack O'Connell's odds of playing Bond recently slumped to 14/1, from 8/1 just a few weeks ago. | Getty Images
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7. Harris Dickinson - 14/1
Harris Dickinson - 16.67 per cent chance 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 14/1. | Getty Images
8. Paul Mescal - 16/1
Irish actor Paul Mescal shot to fame in television series 'Normal People' and his since become one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. He's set to star as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes' four-part Beatles biopic and is one of several names who are priced at 16/1 to play Bond. | AFP via Getty Images