The decision for the next James Bond could be imminent as three British stars have reportedly made it to the screen testing stage, including a Slow Horses star and an actor best known for The Crown.
The decision for the next James Bond could be imminent with four stars having reportedly made it to the screen testing stage.
Deadline has reported that Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor are three names who have been offered a screen test, with a fourth name as yet unconfirmed.
Bosses of the iconic franchise at Amazon MGM Studios have been looking for an actor to step into the shoes of the 007 spy since Daniel Craig bowed out in 2021 after 15 years in the role and now, according to reports, the decision could be nearer than ever as a trio of acting talents are said to have been offered what is usually the final stage in the casting process.
Lowden has appeared in a string of cinematic films like Mary Queen of Scots and The outrun, but is perhaps best known for his role as River Cartwright in the Apple+ series Slow Horses alongside Gary Oldman. He also featured in 10 episodes of The Gold, and recently finished filming Pride and Prejudice opposite The Crown’s Emma Corrin.
Turner is known for his role in the Harry Potter spin-off franchise Fantastic Beasts, as well as his performances in Masters of The Air and Eternity. In 2026, he married pop star Dua Lipa.
O’Connor had a leading role as Larry Durrell in ITV’s The Durrells but then received worldwide recognition when he took on the part of Prince Charles in The Crown.
Over the years, a string of bona fide Hollywood actors have taken on the role, notably Roger Moore, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig was cast in the part in 20006 and bowed out of the franchise with No Time To Die, which was released in 2021.
The 007 films were first launched by Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli in 1962, before his daughter Barbara and stepson Michael stepped into his role.
Shortly after No Time To Die was completed, the Broccoli dynasty handed over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios, which formed when Amazon purchased Bond’s parent studio just three years ago.
Reports about the latest favourite come just days after Theo James, who fans will know from his appearances in The Divergent, The White Lotus, and most recently as Eddie in the hit Guy Ritchie Netflix series The Gentlemen, ruled himself out of taking on the part.
In a recent interview, Theo, 41, simply said: “”I’m definitely too old now, for one.” Speaking to British GQ, he also expressed his fears of becoming too famous to walk down the street.
He added: “Imagine, suddenly, you and I cannot walk down the street. What that does to your children, who are trying to find themselves in the midst of hyper-scrutiny and fame. None of that, to me, is worth it.
“At the time, it’s very intoxicating, being offered some huge, sexy part that would change your life forever. But it really wouldn’t ultimately be worth it.”
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