Who will be the new James Bond? Here are the 3 main contenders for 007

One of the roles that will take your career to another level in one go is, of course, if you get the honor of playing James Bond. Just ask Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig: they will forever be associated with 007. But since Daniel Craig bid farewell to his role as Bond in 2021, we have been waiting for his successor.

According to various reports on social media, the last screen tests in London have already taken place. Three names have emerged: Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and Callum Turner. This trio is all 36 years old, British or Scottish (of course a must), and already has a significant film career under their belt.

But who are these men actually, and where do we know them from?

Jack Lowden: the spy who already plays a bit of James Bond

If you watch or have watched Slow Horses, you have probably seen Jack Lowden before. In this mega-popular spy series from Apple TV+, he plays River Cartwright, a young MI5 agent who ends up in a rather chaotic group of washed-up secret agents. Hey, that sounds familiar. I think: British humor, lots of shooting, and attractive women. Oh yes, and Gary Oldman as a boss you wouldn't trust with a cup of coffee.

He already has the spy experience on screen, looks great in a tuxedo, and can be both serious and charming. The James Bond Club Netherlands.

also names him as a favorite. Christopher Nolan, But Lowden is much more than just that one spy role. You might also know him from Dunkirk, the war film by.

, and Mary Queen of Scots. In that last film, he played Lord Darnley, alongside Saoirse Ronan. And yes, that collaboration continued outside the film set: Lowden and Ronan are now married.

A fun detail: Lowden is from Scotland and started his career on stage. He appeared in Black Watch, a highly praised production from the National Theatre of Scotland. So he not only has action experience but also the classical acting training and stage presence that you can use well for such an iconic role.

Josh O’Connor: from Prince Charles to secret agent? Josh O’Connor might be the most surprising name on the list. His name might not ring a bell, but his face probably does. You probably know him as Prince Charles from The Crown, where he played the young version of the British heir to the throne. For that role, he won among others an and a Golden Globe. Emmy.

. Not bad for someone who initially doubted whether he should take the role.

Because yes, that’s one of the fun facts about O’Connor: he almost turned down his big breakthrough role in The Crown at first. He doubted whether he would fit in alongside the experienced cast. In the end, he did it anyway, with all the awards and international attention that came with it. So you see: sometimes you just have to step over your own doubts to achieve something greater.

In recent years, he has actually shown a very different side of himself. In Challengers, he played Patrick Zweig, an arrogant, charming tennis player who gets caught up in an incredibly complicated love triangle with characters played by Zendaya and Mike Faist. Outside the film set, Josh O’Connor is actually a lot less Hollywood than you might expect. He loves gardening and enjoys living in the English countryside. An actor who prefers to be busy with his plants than with red carpets? That’s just lovely.

Why he could become Bond: O’Connor has proven that he can convincingly portray totally different characters. He is not the most obvious classic Bond, and that could actually be refreshing.

Callum Turner: not just Dua Lipa's boyfriend.

Then we have Callum Turner. His name might not ring a bell for everyone right away, but you have probably seen his face before. He played Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films, appeared in The Boys in the Boat by George Clooney, and played a pilot in the war series Masters of the Air. That last project, about American pilots during World War II, showed that he can handle action, tension, and a uniform just fine.

And then there’s of course his private life. Callum is married to Dua Lipa, so there’s a good chance you also know him from photos where he appears next to the pop star. The two kept their relationship relatively private for a long time but eventually became one of the most talked-about couples in the showbiz world. Burberry, A detail that I personally find nice: Callum Turner designed Dua's engagement ring himself. He consulted with her sister and best friends so that the ring would really suit her. HOW cute, it almost doesn’t get more romantic than that. And for those wondering if he is only known as the partner of a global star: he is still building a serious film career. Another fun fact: Callum was discovered as a model at seventeen. At that age, he appeared in campaigns for.

, although he later said that his modeling career was not exactly a success.

Why he could become Bond: Turner has the classic leading-man charisma, experience with large film productions, and enough action experience to step into the role convincingly. And of course, a handsome face, which is not unimportant.

When will the new James Bond be announced?.

That is the question that Bond fans are now losing sleep over. The casting is said to be in the final phase, and there are reports that the screen tests are taking place in London. However, the studio has not yet announced an official name. So it’s important to see the three actors as contenders for now, not as confirmed finalists.

What we do know is that the next Bond film is in the hands of director Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune, Arrival, and Sicario, among others. The script is being written by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders. The new film is meant to give the franchise a fresh twist while retaining the charm, tension, and action that come with Bond. Fans are hoping for a release in 2028, although that is not yet a definitive date.