Media reports say that Amazon is holding final screen tests to choose the next James Bond currently – but who are the actors vying for the iconic role?
It seems like we have been talking about who would replace Daniel Craig as the world’s most famous secret agent, James Bond, for years now – but now we are close to finding out who will next don the iconic tuxedo.
Deadline reported that Amazon MGM Studios – which took over creative control of the Bond franchise last year – is holding screen tests with the actors who are in the frame to take the role.
Tests have been planned for some time, but scheduling conflicts mean they haven’t been able to take place until now. But while the tests will wrap before the end of the month, we still won’t know for a little while who has been successful. It is estimated that an announcement will be made before the end of the year.
But who are the actors up for the Bond role? Here is what we know:
Jack Lowden
Scottish actor Jack, 36, is best known for playing River Cartwright in Apple TV+ spy drama Slow Horses, so he already has good spy credentials.
Jack is also taking on the role of Mr Darcy in the latest version of the Jane Austen classic Pride & Prejudice, which is being made by Netflix. This role has history with turning actors into heartthrobs, so that is another tick in his box.
However, Jack hasn’t been seen on the big screen for some years.
Callum Turner
Callum’s name has gradually made it higher on the list of people most likely for the role. Having started out as a model, he turned to acting and appeared in a variety of TV shows and films before getting his big break playing Newt Scamander’s brother in the Fantastic Beasts movies. Since then his profile has risen in movies such as Eternity. He also married Dua Lipa this year, so she could potentially sing the theme tune too.
Josh O’Connor
Josh is a name that has come up on the railings in recent months, having not been mentioned in shortlists previously.
He first gained international attention by playing the then Prince of Wales in Netflix’s royal drama The Crown in 2019-20 – a role he won an Emmy for.
Since then, Josh’s star has risen with appearances in some high-profile movies including romantic drama Challengers (2024), murder mystery Wake Up Dead Man (2025) and sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day (2026)
Another actor?
Deadline reported three of the names, but apparently four actors have been invited to the screen test, so who is the other name?
Jacob Elordi has been consistently linked with the role in recent times, and his star is on the rise. The Aussie actor was Nate in Euphoria (2019-26), and he received an Oscar nomination for his role in Frankenstein (2025).
Another name mentioned is Jack O’Connell, who has racked up some impressive movie appearances in recent times, including Sinners (2025) and 28 Year later (2025) and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026).
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was one of the favourites for the role last year. He has the looks, is the right age and nationality and a solid acting CV too, including movies such as Nosferatu (2024) and 28 Years Later (2025), but his name appears to have fallen out of the running recently.
Henry Cavill is another name who was high in the betting odds to take over the role once it was announced Daniel was leaving the role. The former Superman actor again appears to have the right credentials, but, like Aaron, appears to have fallen out of the running in recent months.
