Who will take over from Daniel Craig? The favorites to be the next James Bond

By: FSWL team

Published:
2026-01-26

James Bond, Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roge

Daniel Craig set a clear tone for Ian Fleming's James Bond across five films - Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), SPECTRE (2015) and No Time To Die (2021). His version was physical, vulnerable and more down to earth than many previous interpretations. When he said goodbye, it felt like the end of an era. This makes the search for the next 007 extra charged.

The choice is not just about a new actor in tuxedo. It is about what kind of stories will drive the series forward. At the same time, speculation has become a sport, where rumours and small details quickly get a life of their own. In that mix, odds often act as a temperature gauge.

This is what the next James Bond could look like

The next Bond must both carry the legacy and feel new. The role requires more than a familiar face, since each choice signals a direction. That is why it is interesting to compare what fans, industry talk and odds seem to point towards.

Why the choice feels extra important

The Bond role is difficult to “cast” because it carries decades of expectations. A new actor must function in action, drama and lighter lines. In addition, the interpretation should feel like a natural continuation of the series.

After Daniel Craig, there is an expectation of credible action, but also charm and humour. At the same time, producers usually emphasize that Bond should sound and move British. That does not determine the casting but shows how rumours quickly affect the conversation.

Five names that are often mentioned

The speculation about who will be the next Bond is many. And although no one knows who the next actor will be, the betting market can give an idea of which rumours and speculations are most likely to occur. According to betxpert.com, which compares the odds on who will be the next Agent 007, there now seem to be five actor names that are particularly likely. Below we compile these names and their current odds at the company.

● Aaron Taylor-Johnson (35 years old, born 1990) has shown clear action capacity in films such as Kickass, Godzilla and the blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron - and can play both tough and vulnerable.
Odds: 2.50

● Henry Cavill (42, born 1983) has a classic movie star form, but the question is how his schedule, which is filled with film projects, affects the long commitment that it is to play James Bond.
Odds: 3.00

● Regé-Jean Page (37, born 1988) has a modern charm and an aura of prestige that can give the series new energy. At the same time, sceptics point out that the role requires a habit of physical action over several films.
Odds: 7.50

● James Norton (40, born 1985) is associated with low-key intensity and works in more realistic spy environments.
Odds: 9.00

● Tom Hardy (48, born 1977) is a cult favourite with raw energy, but his clear style can control which tone feels credible.
Odds: 10.00

Regardless of the name, the next Bond needs to combine elegance with physical credibility. The one who can do both usually stays in the conversation the longest.

When the odds reveal trends

The odds often act as a quick temperature gauge for rumours. They move when new information about meetings, tests or schedules circulate. This means that the market sometimes reinforces a narrative before something is confirmed. Therefore, odds should be read as signals only, far from the final choice.

For periods, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been high in several compilations from British media. It has been interpreted as him fitting the series' physical direction after Craig. At the same time, a single statement is enough to cause the numbers to swing, especially when the producers are silent.

In other surveys, Callum Turner (35, born 1990) has been mentioned as a temporary favourite, which shows how quickly a name can emerge. Other names that have been mentioned before, but which currently seem less likely according to oddsmakers and rumours, are Theo James (41, born 1984), Harris Dickinson (29, born 1996), Jack Lowden (35, born 1990), Damson Idris (34, born 1991) and Jacob Elordi (28, born 1997).

A legacy waiting for the right person

The next James Bond will be compared to Craig from the very first scene. At the same time, the role needs someone who can break away from the comparison and set his own tone. The odds can show how the conversation swings, but they should never be interpreted as an official truth. Favourite lists have also often been traditional, which is noticeable in which names dominate.

It helps to separate rumours, casting logic and market reactions when speculation takes off. The most talked about candidates fit different interpretations, from classically elegant to rawer and more dramatic. Once the choice is made, the next era truly begins, and the series gets a chance to redefine Bond.

Copyright © 2026 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

Editor's Note:
Before Daniel Craig, James Bond was portrayed by Scotsman Sean Connery, Australian George Lazenby, Englishman Roger Moore, Welshman Timothy Dalton and Irishman Pierce Brosnan.

Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, James Bond

Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig as James Bond.

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