Michelle Keegan being tipped as next Bond Girl
She's very popular right now!
Last updated 23rd Jan 2024
Having appeared in shows such as Our Girl, Brassic and Fool Me Once since leaving Coronation Street in 2014, Michelle Keegan has gained popularity around the world, with rumours now rife that she's about to land a HUGE role.
Following her success in Netflix drama Fool Me Once as Maya Stern, Michelle is now being tipped to be the newest Bond girl, in the next James Bond movie.
An expert from Gambling.com said: "Michelle, who is 5/2 to be the next Bond Girl, started out in soaps, starring as barmaid Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street for six years. She already knows how to perfect a Martini. She could be an ideal MI6 colleague for Bond."
Michelle admitted recently that she was late to arrive into acting, having landed the role of Tina McIntyre in Corrie, in what was only her second-ever audition in 2007.
Speaking to Fearne Cotton on her podcast earlier this month, the 36-year-old confessed how she sufferers from imposter syndrome. She explained: "I've said it before that I suffer a lot with imposter syndrome. So I will be doing a job and as soon as I wrap on that job, I'm like, 'Right, well I'm never gonna work again.' You know, that was good while it lasted. That's it, that's me done.
"So yeah, I always have that slight panic, no matter what I've finished, or if I'm going onto something else. I always have that slight panic."
Meanwhile, with talk of Michelle as the next Bond girl, there's so no confirmation as to which actor will be cast as the new James Bond, following Daniel Craig's exit.
Names such as Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston have all been rumoured in recent years.
Check out all of the James Bond rumours below:
Idris Elba
Idris Elba has been leading the way in the James Bond odds for a number of years now, with many thinking he is the perfect candidate to be the first ever black actor to land the infamous role.
However, Idris has seemingly shut down the rumours on a number of occasions. He told Esquire, "When you get people from a generational point of view going, 'It can't be.' And it really turns out to be the color of my skin. And then if I get it and it didn't work, or it did work, would it be because of the color of my skin? That's a difficult position to put myself into when I don't need to."
It was also confirmed by producers that they are looking for someone in their 30s, while Idris is now 50-years-old so he is unlikely to take on the role.
Tom Hardy
Another popular actor who has been in the rumour mill since Daniel Craig confirmed he would be stepping down! Tom has certainly played similar roles in the past, so we think he'd make a brilliant Bond!
He has previously said, "There's a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting… that if you talk about Bond rumours you're automatically out of the race. So I can't possibly comment on that one!" While he is a little bit over the ideal age producers are looking for, he could still be in with a chance!
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Initially stealing the hearts of teens across the country with his role as Robbie in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Aaron Taylor-Johnson continued to raise his household name status as he appeared in huge titles such as Kick-Ass, The King's Man, Outlaw King and The Fall Guy. No stranger to playing an action-packed role, he's appeared as Pietro Maximoff in Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron, as well as Tangerine in Bullet Train.
Aaron has proved to be one of the most popular contenders for the upcoming Bond role, with former James Bond actor himself, Pierce Brosnan, giving his blessing.
Lashana Lynch
With a lot of discussion about whether the next James Bond would be portrayed by a female actress, Lashana Lynch was certainly up there, with the actress already playing the role of a new 00 agent in No Time To Die.
However, producers have since confirmed that the role will be portrayed by a man, but there will be bigger roles for women in the upcoming films, so we might still get to see her return!
Henry Cavill
He's already a superhero having played the role of Superman, but it sounds like Henry Cavill is certainly up for playing the role of Bond! Speaking to GQ, he said: "At this stage, it's all up in the air. We'll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting."
With Henry stepping down from his roles in both The Witcher and Superman, fans are convinced that he could be suiting up to be the next 007!
Aidan Turner
Poldark actor Aidan Turner has been linked to the James Bond role for as long as we can remember, but it was clear he wasn't open to discussing it whilst Daniel Craig was still the leading man.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Aidan previously said: "There's someone else playing the role – I always feel weird talking about it. It's come up a lot in recent times. When it's free, I'll have a look at it. But it's not free now."
Harry Styles
After making his film debut in Dunkirk in 2017, then starring in hit films Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman, former One Direction singer Harry Styles has reportedly been in talks with Bond bosses.
However, despite the rumours, Harry's representative told the Mail Online that the reports 'aren't even remotely true' and it seems as though he is a bit too young for producers' liking anyway!
Richard Madden
Irish actor Richard Madden stole the hearts of the nation when he appeared as Sergeant David Budd in BBC drama Bodyguard.
Speaking to GQ about the rumours, Richard said: "I'm more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I'm very flattered and thankful. It's a really brilliant thing to be in.
"I don't want to curse anything by saying anything. I think that's the curse of that. If you talk about anything, you'll curse it."
Tom Hiddleston
Despite a tonne of speculation about Tom landing the Bond role, the actor seemingly shut down the rumours at the Wizard World Comic Con.
He said: "I don't think that announcement is coming. I am very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. Your guess is as good as mine, to be honest."
Cillian Murphy
We love him in Peaky Blinders and we can totally imagine Cillian Murphy ordering a shaken, not stirred martini!
However, it sounds like Irish actor would like to see a female James Bond, telling GQ: "It's incredibly flattering to be in that conversation. I think it should be a woman."
At 47-years-old Cillian is a little outside of the age requirement for the role, but we can still hope!
Robert Pattinson
R-Patz is no stranger to major movie roles, having played both Edward Cullen and Batman to name a few.
Christopher Nolan is being rumoured to direct the next Bond movie, and of course he's worked very closely with Robert in the past.
John Boyega
Star Wars actor John Boyega is another rumoured name in the running for the famed 007 role, and at 31-years-old he pretty much fits the producers' age requirement!
Paul Mescal
The nation fell in love with Irish actor Paul Mescal following his role as Connell Waldron in BBC series Normal People. So, while he may be a bit too young for the role, could bosses be tempted to hire Paul as 007 due to his popularity?
Henry Golding
After being introduced to the world in 2018 rom/com Crazy Rich Asians, Malaysian-British actor Henry Golding has been tipped to become the next Bond.
Speaking to the BBC, Henry said: "It's a crazy, crazy idea, but stranger things have happened. I'm just excited for Daniel Craig. Y'know, he's been my Bond."
James Norton
McMafia actor James Norton is often at the top of the bookies list when it comes to who will be the next James Bond. His recent roles have seriously showcased he has what it takes to play 007, so it wouldn't be a massive shock if he was unveiled!
James's on-screen mum Diane Keaton would also like to see the actor play Bond, telling Sky News: "Don't you think he's going to be the next James Bond? We were all talking about it on the set of Hampstead. He ticks every box - he's beautiful, he's a man, he's very sexy, he is smart and he even went to Cambridge."
Jodie Comer
With rumours previously suggesting that bosses were keen on a female Bond, a move which would mark the first-time in history, Jodie Comers' name was doing the rounds.
Responding to the rumours, Jodie teased "never say never"! And despite producers having now confirmed the next Bond will be a man, there will be a number of big female roles coming up in the new films...
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson hasn't been shy in expressing how much he would love to play the role of Bond, admitting that he would like to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, who played a Bond villain back in 1967.
Speaking about playing the world-renowned role, Dwayne said: "Yes, my grandfather was a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice with Sean Connery. It was very, very cool. And I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond. I don't wanna be a villain. Gotta be Bond." While this would be cool to see, The Rock seems to be a bit outside the age-range producers are looking for.
Regé-Jean Page
Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page took on the role of a CIA agent in Netflix film The Gray Man, and after seeing his performance directors Joe and Anthony Russo have recommended him for the role of James Bond, saying: "He has more charisma in his pinky than most people do in their entire body. We'd watch him do anything."
Tom Holland
The actor has certainly proved himself in recent years, starring as Spider Man alongside huge names such as Zendaya and Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as showing off his action film skills as Nathan Drake in the film Uncharted. While he might be the perfect fit for the next 007 movie in some ways, according to producers he might be too young to play the veteran spy!
Lucien Laviscount
Lucien Laviscount is known for his role of charming Alfie in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris - and with him fitting into the producers' age range perfectly, could he be a running contender for the next Bond?
Jamie Dornan
Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan is known for his lead role in the Fifty Shades franchise, as well as his starring role in The Tourist. He has also appeared in huge titles such as The Fall, A Private War, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time. Speaking on the rumours he could be the next 007, he said: "I just am not one of those people who give it a huge amount of thought."
Following six years on Coronation Street, Michelle left her role in 2014, going on star in BBC drama Our Girl as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane.
The actress, who is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, later starred in comedy Brassic alongside Joe Gilgun, Ryan Sampson and Aaron Heffernan.
On New Year's Day in 2024, Michelle's latest drama Fool Me Once dropped on Netflix, with the Harlan Coben series quickly breaking viewing records around the world. Re-sharing a post on X by Netflix which revealed the show received a huge 37.1 million views in its first week, and hit the Top 10 in 91 countries, Michelle said: 'What a week!! 🙌🏽🤯 Thank you to everyone who’s watched ‘Fool Me Once'. (sic)
Now read:
Vote reveals who the public want as the next James Bond
Michelle Keegan thanks fans for overwhelming support for Fool Me Once
All the movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in 2024