James Bond speculation continues to grip fans as the wait for a formal casting announcement drags on. Since Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 in 2021's No Time to Die, three years of rumours have circulated without confirmation of his successor. The recent acquisition of MGM+ by Amazon Studios for $8.45 billion has only intensified interest, with creative control of the franchise now in Amazon's hands.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the bookmakers' favourite, but a source firmly denied his involvement in March. Now, a new contender has emerged: Stephen Graham, star of Netflix's hit drama Adolescence. The four-part series, filmed in single takes, was watched 66 million times in its first two weeks, propelling the Liverpudlian actor into the Bond race with odds of 66/1.
Graham, 51, is known for gritty roles in This is England, Line of Duty, and Boiling Point. He plays the father of a 13-year-old boy arrested for murder in Adolescence. Also in the odds is Ashley Walters, who played a police officer opposite Graham in the series, at 50/1.
Jack Lowden, 34, has become an unlikely favourite with odds of 4/1, surpassing previous frontrunners like Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill. The Scottish actor, known for Slow Horses and Dunkirk, has the backing of his wife, Saoirse Ronan, who said on a podcast: 'He should be Bond.' James Norton, 38, also remains in contention, having previously expressed interest in playing a diabetic Bond to inspire children with the condition.
