British actor Jack Barton has emerged as the favourite to play James Bond, with screen tests for the secret agent role scheduled to begin within days.
The 31-year-old actor, who appeared in the Netflix teen drama Heartstopper and the BBC series SAS: Rogue Heroes in 2025 alongside a selection of minor roles, has reportedly joined the shortlist for the coveted part.
According to a report by Page Six, casting directors are backing Barton to land the role. However, franchise distributor Amazon MGM Studios is believed to prefer a more well-established Hollywood star to lead the series.
Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig has grown since 2019, when the actor announced he would hang up his bow tie and pistol after five films as 007.
Casting director calls for an unknown actor
Debbie McWilliams, the veteran casting director who selected Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for the franchise, previously argued that producers should choose a newcomer rather than an established celebrity.
Speaking to the Independent in June, McWilliams expressed opposition to casting high-profile stars. "I don't want to see any of them as Bond because we now know so much about them," she said. "We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that's what spies are. We don't need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives."
McWilliams added that preserving the character's core identity is essential for audiences. "We never want to see him at home," she explained. "And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. He's licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don't, then you've lost the audience."
Barton is not the only actor in contention. Bookmakers and industry insiders have also listed Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jacob Elordi and Henry Cavill among the current favourites.
Theo James rules himself out over age and fame
Actor Theo James recently ruled himself out of the running, insisting that he is "too old" to take on the secret agent role. Speculation surrounding the 41-year-old actor heightened after Amazon MGM Studios announced in May that auditions were finally under way.
Despite Daniel Craig being 51 when he shot his final Bond film, James insisted, "I'm definitely too old now." The star of the Netflix series The Gentlemen added that taking the role is "an example of a place you could never come back from."
Speaking to British GQ, James recalled the overwhelming media attention he experienced a decade ago following his breakout performance in the Divergent movie franchise. As his fame peaked, he stepped back from blockbuster films to focus on smaller projects, and even briefly considered studying for an oceanography degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
James, who is married to Irish actress Ruth Kearney and shares two young children with her, described the toll that intense scrutiny takes on family life. "Imagine, suddenly, you and I cannot walk down the street," he said. "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."
He also noted how his perspective on public interactions has shifted over the years. "It's funny with selfies. When I was younger, I used to be really allergic to them," James said. "So I used to say no, but the problem with saying no, I found, is that it elongates the moment. Obviously, it's very nice, and you want to service someone who is invested in any way. But at the same time, there's the existential problem of what is your job? What is identity? What belongs to the public and what doesn't?"
Jack Lowden backed by podcast hosts
Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has also emerged as a prominent candidate, with 007 producers reportedly "strongly considering" the 36-year-old Scottish actor.
Presenter Richard Osman discussed Lowden on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, revealing that an industry insider had named Lowden as the frontrunner. "Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that's happened before," Osman said. "The name I've heard is Jack Lowden."
Osman clarified that it was not a done deal, saying, "It is definitiely not a 'he's definitely got it' thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he'd be amazing." He added that Lowden has "real Daniel Craig energy" and praised him as "such a brilliant actor. Can be funny, can definitely do action. I mean, I think he'd be sensational."
Co-host Marina Hyde agreed, noting that at age 36, Lowden is at "a good age" for the franchise. "You have to have the longevity," Hyde said. "They've got to do at least two movies and he's a good age for it."
The podcast discussion followed new research showing that public top picks for Bond include Tom Hardy, 48, Henry Cavill, 43, and James Norton. Norton, 41, recently ruled himself out, admitting he felt relieved to be seen as "too old."
However, Osman and Hyde noted that public opinion has rarely matched successful casting decisions. "If you look back at every single James Bond that has ever been appointed, not a single one of them would have been chosen by the public, apart from maybe one," Osman said, referring to Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 from 1995 to 2002.
Hyde highlighted that public selection overlooked Daniel Craig when producer Barbara Broccoli cast him for Casino Royale. "That was Barbara Broccoli's call completely, the Daniel Craig call," Hyde said. "And it was really ballsy because everyone was like 'what on earth are you talking about?' The second they see Casino Royale they're like 'oh yeah, no you're right, that is the right call.'"
Methodical search underway at studio
Bond producer Amy Pascal gave an update on the casting process earlier this month, emphasizing that executives are being cautious. "We are being really, really methodical," Pascal said. "Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it's got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different."
Auditions for the new Bond officially opened in May, five years after the release of No Time to Die in 2021. The casting announcement had been delayed after the Broccoli family, who held creative control over the franchise for decades, handed over creative management to Amazon MGM Studios following Amazon's acquisition of MGM in 2022.
Amazon MGM Studios teased in May that there would be "exciting 007 news" in the coming months, issuing a statement: "The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."
At the end of June, industry insiders told Deadline that director Villeneuve had already begun informing actors who successfully made the next round of auditions.
