As we enter November 2026, it’s now over seven years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo following his fifth and final starring role in the James Bond franchaise.
We’ve know for for some time now that there will certainly be sequel to No Time To Die, directed by Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay writter by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight.
But we still don’t know 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.
It seems like an age since 2024, when it was widely reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had bagged the part but it turned out not to be the case.
He appears to now be 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 and a couple of brand new names have entered the frame in the last couple of weeks.
Here are the 12 actors now leading the charge to play Bond, according to Coral Bookmakers.
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5. Josh O'Connor - 8/1
Priced at joint 8/1 fourth favourite for 007 is Josh O'Connor, who played a young King Charles in 'The Crown'. Back in January 2025 he briefly became the favourite before falling back. Starring in recent Steven Spielberg blockbuster 'Disclosure' seems to have helped his chances and he's back in the frame. Along with Lowden and Turner, he is reported to have been one of four actors given a recent final screentest. We don't know the identity of the fourth, although it now seems likely that it might be Golding, Nelson-Joyce, or the next name on our list. | Getty Images for Universal Pictu
6. Jack O'Connell - 8/1
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 been lengthening in recent months, but his price has halved in the last week to 8/1. Is he the mystery fourth screentester? | Getty Images for BFI
7. Richard Madden - 10/1
'Game of Thrones' star Richard Madden is another Scottish actor who had (wrongly) been reported as accepting the Bond role. It shows just how long this has been going on that the rumours 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. | Getty Images
8. Theo James - 10/1
Another former favourite who has seen his odds drift out then firm up, 'Divergent' series star Theo James is now a 10/1 shot for Bond...James Bond. Critically acclaimed for his performance in the television series 'The White Lotus', he also plays the lead role in Guy Ritchie's action comedy series 'The Gentlemen'. | Getty Images