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As we reach the second week of November 2026, it’s now over seven years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo following his fifth and final appearance as James Bond.
It’s long been known that there will be a sequel to No Time To Die, with Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve on board to direct from a screenplay written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But it’s still a mystery as to who will bag 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.
It seems like an age since 2024 when it was prematurely reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had won the role.
He’s now all-but out of the running now that Amazon MGM Studios have taken over ‘full creative control’ of the frachaise.
Last month it was reported that four actors were invited for a final screentest earlier this month - namely Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and a mystery fourth wannabe-superspy.
Lowden had earlier become favourite after Richard Osman said Jack Lowden would be the next Bond in his The Rest is Entertainment podcast.
But he may have spoken prematurely as it seems that a final decision has yet to be made, with four brand new names entering the frame in the last couple of weeks - namely Henry Golding, James Nelson-Joyce, Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult.
Here are the 14 actors now leading the charge to play Bond, according to Coral Bookmakers.
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5. Nicholas Hoult - 5/1
Rising to fame as a child actor in 'About a Boy', Nicholas Hoult is another late arrival to the race to play Bond. He's appeared in the X-Men and Superman franchaises (playing Lex Luther in the latter), as well as many acclaimed independent films such as 'The Favourite' and 'Nosferatu'. He's come from nowhere in recent days to become the 5/1 fifth favourite. | Getty Images
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6. James Nelson-Joyce - 10/1
James Nelson-Joyce joined the favourites a couple of weeks ago but has seen his odds widen to 10/1. Known for playing tough guys he's appeared in the likes of 'The Nest', 'The Gold', 'Guy Ritchie's The Covenant' and 'This City Is Ours'. James Bond would be a huge step-up for an actor yet to find wide recognition. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
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7. Jack O'Connell - 10/1
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 have narrowed in the last couple of weeks amid rumours that he is the mystery fourth screentester. He's now also a 10/1 shot. | Getty Images for BFI
8. Richard Madden - 10/1
'Game of Thrones' star Richard Madden had previously (wrongly) been reported as having accepted the Bond role. It shows just how long this has been going on that the rumours about the Scottish actor surfaced way back in 2018. Television series 'The Bodyguard' seemed as good an audition reel as any, and he's now a 10/1 shot. | Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images