Callum Turner Overtakes Jack Lowden as Top Contender for James Bond Role
Bookmakers have sharply shortened odds on the actor following reports of recent auditions, while producer Amy Pascal promises a decision by year-end.
By Lauren Foster ·
The search for the next James Bond has narrowed to a tight race between two British actors, with the betting markets suddenly tipping in favor of Callum Turner. Turners odds at bookmakers dropped from 3/1 to 8/13, making him the current front-runner. This shift follows a period of intense speculation after Daniel Craig retired from the role in 2021.
Turner is not the first actor to top the polls. Jack Lowden, who married actress Saoirse Ronan, held the favorite spot for roughly two weeks. Rumors indicated that four actors, including Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and one unnamed individual, were called in for auditions. Earlier tips from media personality Richard Osman had previously boosted Lowden’s chances, but recent chatter in industry circles has swung momentum toward Turner.
Turner’s profile has risen in recent years. He began his career as a model and appeared in John Boorman’s 2014 film Queen and Country. Last year, he starred in two notable releases: Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada and the Irish-directed supernatural romance Eternity. He also married singer Florence Welch in May of this year. Some observers point to his recent resignation as the director of his own production company as a sign that he is clearing his schedule for a major studio commitment.
The production team has maintained specific criteria for the new 007. Barbara Broccoli, a long-time executive producer, stated in 2024 that the next Bond will be a man in his 30s and that the character’s whiteness is not guaranteed. In February 2025, the rights to the franchise transferred to Amazon MGM Studios. The upcoming film is set to be directed by Denis Villeneuve. Producer Amy Pascal has indicated that the cast announcement will arrive by the end of the year.
Conflicting reports continue to cloud the final decision. The Sun newspaper claimed on Thursday that a source overheard a castmate of Josh O’Connor say the actor had secured the part. O’Connor is best known for his role as Prince Charles in The Crown. The franchise is preparing for a full reboot, meaning the character will start on a new timeline following his death in No Time to Die. Rumors suggest that some filming may take place in Ireland, though no official location has been confirmed.
