Jack Barton, best known for his roles in Heartstopper and the BBC drama SAS: Rogue Heroes, has reportedly emerged as the new favourite to play James Bond. The 31-year-old actor is said to currently "sit atop the James Bond heap" ahead of screen tests at Amazon MGM Studios.
Barton's rise in the acting world
After graduating from the Oxford School of Drama in 2018, Barton played Foldo in the television series The Letter for the King two years later. He also appeared in a small role in the Academy Award-winning film Poor Things, along with episodes of War of the Worlds, The Pursuit of Love and the period detective drama Grantchester.
Other contenders for the role
PageSix reports that Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson are all among the A-listers set to audition for the part. The news comes days after Theo James, known for The Divergent, The White Lotus and The Gentlemen, ruled himself out of taking on the role.
Theo, 41, said: "I'm definitely too old now, for one." Speaking to British GQ, he added: "Imagine, suddenly, you and I cannot walk down the street. What that does to your children, who are trying to find themselves in the midst of hyper-scrutiny and fame. None of that, to me, is worth it."
History of the franchise
Daniel Craig began playing the 007 spy in the 2006 film Casino Royale and bowed out of the franchise in 2021 with No Time To Die. The 007 films were first launched by Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli in 1962, before his daughter Barbara and stepson Michael stepped into his role. Shortly after No Time To Die was completed, the Broccoli dynasty handed over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.
Other stars rumoured for the part since Craig stepped down include Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill. Amazon MGM Studios previously said in a statement: "The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."
