Speculation over who will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond has taken a fresh turn, with reports suggesting that a relatively unknown British actor, Jack Barton, has emerged as the surprise frontrunner. Screen tests are underway, and the shortlist is said to have narrowed to seven candidates, including familiar names such as Jack Lowden, Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner, Paul Mescal, Jack O’Connell, and Harris Dickinson.
Barton, 31, trained at the Oxford School of Drama and has a sparse filmography. He played David, the on-screen brother of Kit Connor’s character in Netflix’s Heartstopper, and appeared as “Fop 1” in the critically acclaimed Poor Things. His most notable role to date came in the second series of SAS: Rogue Heroes, written by Steven Knight, who is also penning the next Bond script—a connection that may work in Barton’s favour.
Why an unknown might fit the bill
The Bond franchise has a long tradition of casting actors who are not yet household names. Sean Connery was a relative unknown before taking the role, George Lazenby had barely acted, and Pierce Brosnan was best known for a TV series. Even Daniel Craig, though he had notable film credits, became a bona fide leading man only after Casino Royale. This pattern, combined with the fact that established stars command higher salaries, suggests that Amazon—which now holds creative control—may opt for a fresh face.
Retired casting director Debbie McWilliams recently told The Independent that an unknown is essential to preserve the character’s mystique. “It is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma,” she said. “I don’t want to see [Elordi, Turner, Dickinson et al] as Bond because we now know so much about them. We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are.”
Barton fits that description perfectly. Beyond his initials matching the spy’s famous 007 designation, little is publicly known about him—an asset in a role that thrives on secrecy.
Studio executives have told Page Six that Amazon is looking for a younger actor who can carry the franchise across five films, much as Craig did over 15 years. That longevity requirement also favours a relative newcomer over a star already in high demand.
Nina Gold, the new Bond casting director, faces a choice between a recognisable star and a fresh face. While many fans would relish seeing Jack Lowden and Saoirse Ronan share the screen as hero and antagonist, Barton appears to have a very decent shot.
Producer Amy Pascal recently suggested that an announcement could come by the end of the year. “I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” she said. “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.”
The Bond casting saga has been a recurring topic in British media, with Jack Lowden previously tipped for the role after a podcast leak. But the emergence of Barton suggests the producers may be looking beyond the usual suspects.
As the industry watches closely, the choice will shape the franchise’s future. Whether Barton lands the part or not, his sudden rise in the betting odds reflects a broader trend in Hollywood: the appeal of discovering a new star rather than recycling established ones. For European audiences, the decision will also signal how the continent’s film industry continues to influence global pop culture, from Poor Things to the next chapter of 007.
