The bookies seem fairly convinved that it’s only a matter of time before Jack Lowden is unveiled as the new James Bond.
As we reach the end of October 2026, it’s now more than seven years (and counting) since Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and handed back his gun following the hugely-successful last instalment of the James Bond franchaise.
We’ve know for certain that there WILL be sequel to No Time To Die which will be 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.
Way back in 2024 it was reported that Kickass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the part but it turned out not to be the case - and he appears to now be all-but out of the running.
Part of the reason for that is that Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s and presumably were fans of Tayor-Johnson, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios last year and no longer have any say in the casting decisions.
Auditions are reportedly still ongoing, but may now be reaching an end - with the final choice perhaps having already been made.
That certainly seem to be what Richard Osman thinks, after he said Jack Lowden would be the next Bond in his The Rest is Entertainment podcast, and the bookies would seem to agree.
Here are the 10 actors leading the charge to play Bond, with one now the clear favourite.
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1. Jack Lowden - 4/5
Jack Lowden had long been an outside chance to become the next Bond but had his odds slashed when Richard Osman said he would be handed the role in his 'The Rest is Entertainment' podcast. He had dropped down to second favourite for a few weeks but is now back at the top of the pile - with odds of 4/5. Equally at home on the stage or on the screen, Lowden first found fame in 2016 BBC miniseries of 'War & Peace' and has since starred in the likes of 'Dunkirk' and 'Mary Queen of Scots'. He's reached his biggest audience to date starring opposite Gary Oldman in acclaimed spy drama 'Slow Horses', for which he was recently Emmy-nominated. He'd be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery (who was, obviously, also the best). The bookies reckon they have found their Bond. | AFP via Getty Images
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2. Callum Turner - 5/2
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner became favourite to play Bond following his recent marriage to pop star Dua Lipa. He's now the second most likely candidate to step into 007's handmade shoes with odds of 5/2. His most recent major television role was as Major John Egan in 'Masters of the Air' and he's recently been on the big screen in David Freyne's latest film 'Eternity'. His new film, 'Rosebush Pruning', sees him starring opposite his new wife and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival - where he did little to dispel the 007 rumours. Dua Lipa is also one of the favourites to bag the prestigious Bond theme gig too. | Getty Images for Elton John AIDS
3. 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 just 8/1, making him the joint third favourite for the first time. | Getty Images
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4. Josh O'Connor - 8/1
Also priced at 8/1 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. | AFP via Getty Images