Maya Jama has emerged as a surprise contender to star in the next James Bond film, with bookmakers cutting her odds of landing the coveted leading lady role to 7/1.
The 32-year-old Love Island presenter has impressed television audiences recently, first with her acting role in Netflix's The Gentlemen and then with her scheming stint on The Celebrity Traitors. According to William Hill, her odds now place her fifth in the betting, ahead of Euphoria star Zendaya at 9/1 and Normal People actress Daisy Edgar-Jones at 10/1.
Betting odds and Hollywood competition
Margaret Qualley currently leads the pack at 2/1, followed by Sydney Sweeney at 3/1, Anya Taylor-Joy at 4/1 and Florence Pugh at 5/1. While those stars have established Hollywood careers, Jama has demonstrated at least one essential skill for international espionage: the ability to lie convincingly.
The Bristol-born presenter spent almost the entirety of the latest series of The Celebrity Traitors successfully deceiving her fellow contestants, only to be betrayed by fellow Traitor King Kenny at the final hurdle.
Helicopter stunt and Bond audition
During the show's dramatic final challenge, Jama was tasked with abseiling from a helicopter, a stunt that would not have looked out of place in a Bond action sequence. Speaking about the experience after the finale, she admitted: 'I was lowkey trying to appeal for a Bond role.'
The self-confessed thrill-seeker, who has previously been skydiving, joked that she hoped someone important might notice her willingness to throw herself into daring stunts. She also pointed out that her impressive poker face, which helped her remain undetected in the castle, could prove useful on her acting CV.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps suggested the combination of her recent television appearances had helped push her up the rankings. 'Maya Jama has been touted to appear in the next 007 film since her appearance in season two of The Gentlemen,' he explained, adding that her helicopter stunt had only encouraged further speculation. 'We've now cut her to 7/1, making her a serious contender and putting her ahead of the likes of Zendaya at 9/1 and Daisy Edgar-Jones at 10/1.'
Rising acting career and charity gesture
Jama made her debut in Guy Ritchie's Netflix crime drama The Gentlemen earlier this year, playing the glamorous fixer Aisha alongside Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. She has already been confirmed to reprise the role in the show's third season, which is currently filming in the UK and Morocco. Her acting commitments were the reason she was absent from The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked following the show's conclusion.
Despite being banished just moments before the final, Jama emerged as a people's champion after revealing she had personally donated the money she would have won to her chosen charity, Action for Children. The eventual winners, Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft, split the £83,000 prize pot between their respective charities.
There has been no official confirmation that Jama is being considered for the next Bond film, and bookmakers' odds are no guarantee of a casting announcement. However, with her talent for deception, an appetite for dangerous stunts and a wardrobe worthy of a secret agent, she certainly seems to have a few qualifications.
