New James Bond revealed? Front-runner’s co-star claims chosen actor spilled the beans after boozy night out
Jane Herz Fri, November 6, 2026 at 2:39 AM UTC
Looks like someone has a license to spill.
English actor Josh O’Connor might be the next James Bond, according to some loose-lipped London pub chatter.
One of O’Connor’s cast members in the drama “Golden Boy” is convinced that the actor will play Mr. Bond, claiming that he confessed to landing the role on a night out, per the Sun.
Josh O’Connor attends the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris on Jan. 26. He is reportedly in the running to play the next James Bond. WWD via Getty Images
According to the Sun, someone overheard O’Connor’s co-star talking about his rumored new role. Getty Images for Christian Dior
“I bumped into one of Josh’s ‘Golden Boy’ cast mates at The French House,” a source told the outlet Thursday. “They were recognized by a lot of people who asked for selfies and we got chatting in a corner completely by accident.”
“Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond,” the source added.
He said that the cast member was “insistent” that it was indeed O’Connor, 36, who got the role.
Daniel Craig was the last to play Bond. (He is seen above in a scene from the 2006 James Bond movie “Casino Royale.”) ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Daniel Craig appears as James Bond in a scene from “No Time to Die” (2020). ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
“They said that he had confided in them about getting the role when the cast of ‘Golden Boy’ had celebratory drinks after the play finished its run on Halloween,” the source claimed, adding that the cast member was “clearly very proud” of the actor.
Page Six reached out to Amazon and EON Productions for comment.
The next James Bond movie, known as “Bond 26,” is slated to premiere in 2028, though an official date has not yet been announced. It will be developed by Amazon MGM Studios.
Josh O’Connor is well-known for his role as young King Charles III in “The Crown.” GC Images
So far, there are many in the running to play Bond. (O’Connor is seen above in 2025). Variety via Getty Images
So far, the plot has been kept a secret.
However, the biggest mystery behind the new development is who will star as the great James Bond.
Rumored names have included O’Connor, Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and Callum Turner. Screen tests are ongoing.
It’s a mystery behind who will play the next Bond. (Daniel Craig appears in a scene from the 2015 James Bond film “Spectre”). ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond,” a source told the Sun. (Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas appear in a scene from “No Time to Die.”) ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
In a new interview with the BBC Tuesday, O’Connor shared that he was “very honored” to be in the running to play Bond.
“It’s an incredibly bizarre, pinch-me moment … even being uttered in that same sentence and being considered for something like that,” O’Connor told the outlet. “To be considered in that same sort of bracket is extraordinary.”
However, he did not expand, explaining he was “afraid” that there was “nothing to say beyond that.”
Daniel Craig will not be in the next movie (Craig is seen here in “Skyfall”). ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Daniel Craig has not spoken out about who the next Bond will be. (He is seen above as James Bond with Judi Dench in a scene from the 2012 film “Skyfall.”) ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
The previous James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, 58, stepped away from the role after starring in “No Time To Die” in 2021.
Most recently, O’Connor starred as Dr. Daniel Kellner in the sci-fi thriller “Disclosure Day.” He is also known for his role in the hit TV show “The Crown,” where he played younger King Charles III.
In 2021, he won a Primetime Emmy for his role in the TV series, taking home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Source: Entertainment
