After making the 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, Daniel Craig announced he will not be reprising the role in the next installment and it immediately got fans speculating about who the next 007 will be.
More and more voices are uniting around the belief that the new MI6 special agent should be played by a Black actor. One of the names at the top of the list is Idris Elba, but there are a plethora of other Black British actors, both male and female, who could pull off the character – depending upon where the franchise is headed.
Updated on November 21st, 2021 by Mark Birrell: With the release of No Time to Die bringing Daniel Craig's run as the character to a conclusive end, and the movie providing the franchise with lots of different avenues to pursue in the future, fans are more curious than ever as to how and when "James Bond will return". There are so many Black actors who could play James Bond next and with No Time to Die proving that 007 doesn't need to be a man to please audiences, the list of prospective superspies only grows longer.
Idris Elba
For a decade now, rumors have circulated about Idris Elba being the natural choice for the next James Bond. Handsome, rugged, and exacting, Elba shines on both the small and big screens.
From Stringer Bell in Beasts of No Nation.
Lashana Lynch
Having already taken on the 007 moniker as James Bond's replacement in No Time to Die, Lashana Lynch is the most qualified actor for the role right now as audiences already know her as 007 and have seen her in action. Her character, Nomi, clearly displays all the requisite swagger for the job.
Beyond the world of Bond, action movie fans have also seen her alongside Carol Danvers as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel, so she has the appropriate blockbuster franchise credentials whilst still being a relatively fresh face for audiences to get excited about.
Regé-Jean Page
Regé-Jean Page made waves with his performance as Simon Basset in Netflix's hit series Bridgerton and then shocked fans by announcing that he wouldn't be returning for the show's second season, freeing him up for a number of leading roles.
Amongst many other big roles, Page has already confirmed his involvement in the reboot of Roger Moore's famous spy series The Saint, and his clear appeal as a romantic lead makes him a highly logical choice for the next James Bond.
Hannah John-Kamen
MCU fans will recognize Hannah John-Kamen from her role as Ghost in Ant-Man and The Wasp, which showed off her talents as a no-nonsense action star very well despite the overall comedic tone of the movie.
That character alone showcased her prowess as an action star but the Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, both make her a major frontrunner to play a female 007.
Kingsley Ben-Adir
Though still mostly known for his TV roles, including Secret Invasion series, Kingsley Ben-Adir has been making a mark in movies as a ing player.
With roles in One Night in Miami has shown that he's more than capable of handling an important role with a lot of expectation placed upon it.
Naomie Harris
Harris is another actor who has already won over Bond fans by taking on a major role in the Daniel Craig movies as Moneypenny. However, not every fan was satisfied with the trajectory of her character after a strong and involved start in Skyfall before getting less and less screen time in the sequels. Stepping up to the role of 007 in a fresh Bond universe could rectify this.
Beyond Bond and her serious dramatic acting power, made world-famous by her Oscar-nominated performance in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor made his big-screen debut in Steven Speilberg's film Amistad, as Ensign James Covey. Since then, Ejiofor has become a rare breed of a movie star, one who brings substance and depth with him wherever he goes – a quality needed by anyone playing 007.
Ejiofor is known, these days, for playing Solomon Northup in Steve McQueen's biopic, The Old Guard.
Letitia Wright
Letitia Wright is a skilled and dynamic television and film actor, a fresh face who could completely revitalize the 007 franchise.
From Avengers co-stars.
John Boyega
Now that John Boyega is officially done with playing Finn in Star Wars, why shouldn't the actor move on to another popular franchise? Boyega is a powerful and mesmerizing performer who oozes charisma, and he'd look amazing drinking a martini in a tailored suit.
Boyega isn't just a Star Wars face though, he also left a big impression on audiences with leading roles in Detroit.
Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton has been acting for decades, but her recent performance as the AI host, Maeve Millay, in HBO's Westworld showcases her ability to bring raw emotion into an action plot without sacrificing the entertainment value.
The British actor, at 47, appears to be within the normal age range for Bond actors. Her other action films include Solo: A Star Wars Story.
