Ever since Daniel Craig announced that ‘No Time To Die’ would be his last James Bond film, there has been feverish speculation about his successor.
The successful candidate will become the eighth person to play Ian Fleming’s iconic character, following actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.
James Bond: Why the next Scottish actor to play the part may need to say 'stirred, not shaken' – Scotsman comment
And some have suggested that it might be time for a woman to take on the world-saving roles – with one actress who has already technically held the 007 title amongst the most hotly-tipped.
Betting company William Hill are currently quoting odds for 13 actresses to don the tuxedo and enjoy a vodka martini, shaken not stirred.
Here they are, from favourite to outsider.
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9. Gal Gadot
Israeli actress Gal Gadot is no stranger to playing iconic heroes - having made the role of Wonder Woman her own in the recent DC Comics action films. She's 100/1 to repeat the trick with 007. Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON
10. Sophie Rundle
Sophie Rundle has starred in four of the most talked about television series of recent years - Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack, Bodyguard and The Nest. She's 125/1 to be spoken about even more as the first female Bond. Photo: Stuart C. Wilson
11. Cate Blanchett
There's not much in the world of film that Aussie actress Cate Blanchett hasn't achieved - starring in a string of blockbusters and beloved smaller films, picking up two Oscar wins and five other nominations along the way. She's 150/1 to bring her incredible talents to the role of 007. Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto
12. Sarah Lancashire
Sarah Lancashire's been a dab hand at solving crime in highly-acclaimed series Happy Valley, winning a BAFTA for her performance. She is 150/1 to swap her police uniform for Bond's slick and elegant evening wear. Photo: Jeff Spicer