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Next James Bond now tipped to be SAS Rogue Heroes star over likes of Jack Lowden and Callum Turner
There's been another change in frontrunner...
Getty
- Patrick Cremona
Published: Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 10:30 am
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In the five years or so since Daniel Craig officially ended his tenure as James Bond with the release of No Time to Die, there have been countless shifts in who is considered the frontrunner to replace him – and it looks like we might have another one.
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According to a report in Page Six, one actor has emerged as the favourite for the role ahead of other leading candidates such as Jack Lowden and Callum Turner, and it's not someone we were expecting.
The publication reports that Jack Barton – whose most prominent roles to date include playing David Nelson on Heartstopper and John Tonkin in SAS: Rogue Heroes – has impressed casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve the most so far.
However, it's worth noting the report also indicates this could yet change after more familiar faces go through screen tests next month, with Lowden and Turner among those expected to test alongside Jacob Elordi and Paul Mescal.
Jack Barton. Getty
Hopefully, there won't be too much longer before we finally get a definitive answer as to the identity of the next 007.
Towards the beginning of this month, producer Amy Pascal predicted that the new casting would be announced by the end of 2026, telling Deadline that this timeframe was "a good bet".
She explained: "We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it's got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different."
Meanwhile, later in August, Lowden was named as the potential favourite by Richard Osman on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment.
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The former Pointless host and Thursday Murder Club author said: "The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden. It is definitively not a 'he's definitely got it' thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he'd be amazing."
It was confirmed back in 2025 that Denis Villeneuve, who has the release of Dune: Part Three to look forward to at the end of 2026, will be directing the movie, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will pen the script.
During a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4 Today, Knight said of the movie: "I can't really talk about what I'm doing with Bond but I'm enjoying every single second of it. It's fantastic. I'm loving it."
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Authors
Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
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