After Daniel Craig’s intense and somewhat grueling run as James Bond, it’s official: he’s stepping away from the iconic role. This means it’s time for a fresh face to take over the license to kill, and a whole host of actors are now in the race to step into Bond’s polished shoes.
One name that’s recently emerged as a strong contender is Josh O’Connor. You might know him from his portrayal of Prince Charles in The Crown, and now it seems like he could be in line to take on the role of 007. At 34 years old, O’Connor is the right age to potentially play Bond for over a decade, which is important for the longevity of the franchise. He also fits the profile of what Bond producers, like Barbara Broccoli, typically look for: an actor with the right mix of skill and charisma, but who isn’t yet fully entrenched in the public spotlight. This would allow him to grow with the role and become the face of Bond for a new generation.
This potential casting hints that the next Bond might represent a shift in how the character is portrayed. Daniel Craig’s era brought a grittier, more realistic approach to the role, and the next Bond could take things in a different direction to appeal to audiences who are more accustomed to superhero and high-action spy films. We might see Bond’s character return to something that feels a bit more grounded—think less about superhuman feats (sorry, Tom Cruise), and more about the subtlety and tension found in classic spy thrillers like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
O’Connor’s recent success in Challengers alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist only adds to the excitement surrounding his potential as Bond. He’s the first actor in a while to be linked to the role who seems both plausible and able to bring something fresh to the table, rather than simply trying to emulate Craig’s gritty style.
Spy films, in general, seem to be in a bit of an identity crisis right now. The genre was forever changed by the release of The Bourne Identity in 2002, which redefined action spy movies and made the previous Bond film, Die Another Day, feel almost outdated. Craig’s Bond came in to add a dose of realism and grit, but now the genre seems ready for another reinvention.
While Josh O’Connor might not seem like the obvious choice for Bond at first, the idea of him taking on the role is actually exciting. It suggests that the filmmakers might be aiming to evolve the series, bringing something new and innovative to the table that doesn’t just repeat what has been done before. And that’s exactly what audiences need if the James Bond franchise is going to stay relevant in today’s crowded cinematic landscape.