While theJames Bondfranchise is seemingly no closer to naming the star ofBond 26, one name that was recently floated for the role stood out to me as a particularly promising prospect.Bond 26’s future seems more unsurethan ever, four years afterNo Time To Die’s release. WhenNo Time To Die’s ending killed off James Bondfor the first time in the franchise’s history, this left the series in a strange, unprecedented place. However, this isn’t the only reason for the sustained silence from its creators.

In February 2025, Amazon MGM Studios shocked the world by announcing that the company would take over creative control of the franchise from long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. It is not yet clear whatAmazon’s version ofJames Bondwill look like, but it is obvious that any rumors about the franchise’s future are now moot. Who will play James Bond inBond 26truly is anyone’s guess now, which is why a recent comment from a 007 expert was so intriguing to me.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in No Time to Die

Harris Dickinson Isn’t A Next James Bond Actor I’d Really Considered

The Babygirl Star Would Be A Solid Choice For The Next 007

In an interview with the British radio stationLBC,Bond expert Mark O’Connell predicted that the next James Bond actor would be announced in summer 2025. The author ofCatching Bullets - Memoirs of a Bond FantoldLBC’s Nick Ferrari “Amazon’s choice could be different to the Broccolis” before mentioning “A new guy called Harris Dickinson” and telling listeners to “Keep an eye on him.” This shouldn’t come as a huge shock to fans of the actor, who has impressed in a range of roles throughout recent years.

Dickinson’s early roles included the part of Prince Philip inMaleficent: Mistress of Eviland a supporting role as Richard Attenborough in the murder mystery pasticheSee How They Run. Most recently,Dickinson’s starring role inBabygirlbrought him more mainstream attention, although the actor has built up an impressive screen CV since his big-screen debut in 2017’sBeach Rats. 2021 saw him play a leading role inThe King’s Man, a spy thriller that owes an obvious debt to classicJames Bondmovies.

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Dickinson’s blend of edgy indie dramas, mainstream blockbusters, and award-winning dramatic roles calls to mind Daniel Craig’s roles before playing Bond.

Meanwhile, roles inThe Souvenir Part II,The Iron Claw, andTriangle of Sadness, as well as his breakout success inBabygirl, all proved Dickinson has critical credibility. This blend of edgy indie dramas, mainstream blockbusters, and award-winning dramatic roles calls to mind Daniel Craig’s roles before playing Bond in movies likeEnduring Love,Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon, andElizabeth. This makes Dickinson seem like an even more credible bet, as his early career output mirrors that of his franchise predecessor.

Harris Dickinson Has A Lot Of Great Qualities For The Next James Bond

Dickinson’s Screen CV Proves He’s Perfect For The Role

Dickinson is an intriguing choice for the role of Bond thanks to his diverse range of earlier roles. WithThe King’s Man,Dickinson proved he could play a classically cool, charismatic spy already, but movies likeBabygirlalso showcase his potential as both a romantic lead and a darker version of 007.Every actor’s take on Bondhas been different, and it is tough to tell whether the next star to take on the role will play the character straight like Craig’s brooding, self-serious 007 or opt for a campier version of the character like Brosnan’s Bond.

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Daniel Craig

Regardless, Dickinson’s extensive dramatic and comedic experience would be a benefit to him. Although he might be vying with bigger names like established blockbuster stars Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Dickinson’s comparatively low profile could prove unexpectedly beneficial in this regard.

Harris Dickinson Is The Right Kind Of Actor For The New James Bond

Dickinson’s Age and Profile Fit What The Franchise Needs From Bond

Unlike a lot of younger actors with lower profiles,Dickinson has plentiful experience in a wide range of roles that include blockbusters and major movies. That said, he is not yet a huge A-list name, so he is unlikely to overshadow the character of Bond the way that Cavill or Idris Elba might, thanks to their sheer star power. Meanwhile, Dickinson is also a fresh face for most audiences, especially Bond viewers, and he is the right age to continue playing the role for 10–15 years.

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AlthoughBrosnan was asked about playing 007again recently, the franchise’s creators were previously rumored to be looking for a star who could stay in the role for over a decade. This sort of longevity would allow the franchise to get back into a familiar groove with a consistent face, something Dickinson’s youth could guarantee the series. Thanks to a run of well-received movies and well-received performances, a broad variety of roles to his name, and being the right age at the right time, theJames Bondfranchise’s next 007 could be Harris Dickinson inBond 26.