New James Bond: Three British Actors in the Running

The search for the next James Bond may be approaching its final stage. According to IGN, screen tests have begun in London, with Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor among those shortlisted. The publication also reported that another, as yet unidentified, candidate was involved.

The studio has not officially confirmed any of the actors’ names. A report by the Motion Picture Association confirms that the selection process for the next Bond lead is under way, led by casting director Nina Gold. For now, therefore, the three names are not official finalists but candidates repeatedly mentioned in press reports.

What is known about the London screen tests?

According to The Guardian, Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden make up the narrowest publicly reported field for the London auditions. However, this is not a studio announcement but information obtained by the press about the selection process.

The final camera test may involve much more than whether an actor visually matches the established image of Bond. The lead must be convincing in dramatic, action-packed and lighter scenes alike, while creating a character capable of carrying several films.

According to The Independent, several reports about the casting process have emerged, and their details do not entirely agree. Some accounts also mention another unnamed participant, meaning even the exact number of actors in the final round cannot be regarded as certain.

Callum Turner could evoke the classic image of Bond

Callum Turner can easily be associated with a more traditional image of Bond. His appearance and understated acting style suggest the possibility of an elegant, assured lead who could move naturally through both social scenes and action sequences.

It may work in his favour that he is not so closely associated with a defining public image that could overshadow the new role. This alone, however, is not decisive: the filmmakers must also consider whether he can give the character a distinctive voice and whether he works at the centre of their planned cinematic world.

Choosing Turner would probably not represent a radical break with the series’ traditions. Instead, it could offer an opportunity to combine classic elegance with a more contemporary, less rigid performance.

Josh O’Connor could bring a more psychological approach

Josh O’Connor’s name fits the conventional action-hero template less readily, which is precisely what could make him an interesting choice. His performances often emphasise inner tension, uncertainty and emotional contradictions, qualities that could make Bond’s personality more complex.

Daniel Craig’s films already placed greater emphasis on the protagonist’s losses and vulnerability. Casting O’Connor, however, would not necessarily amount to a straightforward continuation of that approach: his presence could also move the series towards a more unpredictable, intellectual and less invulnerable Bond.

His selection could indicate that the filmmakers intend to bring the psychological side of the role to the fore. That would, of course, also require his physical presence and humour to prove equally convincing in the camera tests.

Jack Lowden could embody the tone of modern spy stories

Of the three actors, Jack Lowden is perhaps the easiest to associate with the world of modern spy thrillers. His understated intensity and dry humour could suit Bond without turning into a direct copy of earlier performances.

According to LADbible, Lowden has become one of the bookmakers’ leading contenders. The betting market, however, reflects the expectations of the public and bettors rather than the studio’s decision, so it does not follow that he will actually get the role.

Such rankings can change quickly, particularly when little official information is available. Lowden’s status as a contender therefore indicates, at most, the expectations surrounding him, not the outcome of the casting process.

The creative team could also shape the choice

According to The Guardian, the new film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay and Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers. The Motion Picture Association article states that Nina Gold is overseeing the casting process.

This creative team suggests that they are not simply looking for Daniel Craig’s successor but also defining the tone of the series’ next era. Villeneuve’s work is characterised by strong visual storytelling and gradually building tension, while Knight’s stories often emphasise power struggles and morally complex characters.

No firm conclusions about the tone of the new film can yet be drawn from this. The directing and writing team nevertheless helps explain why finding a dramatically versatile lead who remains convincing over the long term may be particularly important.

Why is finding another Daniel Craig not enough?

A change of era requires two partly conflicting expectations to be reconciled. Viewers must recognise James Bond’s essential traits in the new actor’s performance, while the portrayal must also have a character of its own.

If the new version resembles its predecessor too closely, it may feel derivative. If it strays too far from the familiar character, however, the series’ defining elements could be lost: the balance of elegance, danger, humour and cool self-confidence.

The three actors being discussed are interesting precisely because each could offer a different solution to this problem. Turner could represent more classic elegance, O’Connor psychological complexity, and Lowden the tauter, more ironic tone of modern spy stories. This is not a ranking of their chances but three possible creative directions.

The decision could define the identity of several films

Casting Bond is not simply about choosing the lead for a single production. Over the longer term, the decision could influence the tone and visual style of the film series, as well as the audience the new era aims to reach.

For this reason, the advantage may not necessarily go to whoever delivers the most striking performance in individual scenes. The filmmakers must also assess whose presence can anchor a consistent cinematic world and who can keep the character compelling across several stories.

Previous changes of Bond have also shown that a new lead does not merely take over the role but reshapes it. The choice therefore concerns both acting suitability and the kind of James Bond the filmmakers want to present in the coming years.

When could the new James Bond be announced?

According to Pearl & Dean, producer Amy Pascal indicated that an official announcement could be made by the end of 2026. For now, this should be treated as a press report rather than a fixed timetable.

The most accurate statement at present is that the names of Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden have repeatedly appeared in reports about the London screen tests. Neither their participation nor their chances have received official studio confirmation, and it is not certain that only three candidates remain in contention.

Until the final announcement, therefore, they should be described not as three official finalists but as three strong candidates featured in press reports. The choice will reveal not only who will succeed Daniel Craig, but also whether the filmmakers intend to move the series towards a more classic, more psychological or more modern image of Bond.