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:
Callum Turner
British actor Callum Turner is a hot favourite to take over as 007. Callum, who is engaged to singer Dua Lipa, has appeared in movies such as Eternity, Fantastic Beasts 3 and TV show The Capture. According to reports, Callum is 'way out ahead' to land the role.
James Nelson Joyce
This City Is Ours actor James Nelson-Joyce is apparently now in contention for the role of 007! In December 2025, Poker Scout revealed James' odds have been cut from cut from 40/1 to 5/1. Jeffrey McMillan, spokesperson for Poker Scout said: "James Nelson-Joyce has come from the fringes of the market at 40/1 into genuine contention at 5/1, and he's now one of the leading names in the betting to be named as the next James Bond.
Jacob Elordi
Following roles in Saltburn, Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein, Australian actor Jacob Elordi has recently found his name appearing in the rumour mill. Marina Hyde said on her The Rest Is Entertainment podcast: "I have to say, I have heard from a number of people now that Jacob Elordi has kind of moved into pole position," before adding that "Callum Turner is way out ahead".
Idris Elba
Idris Elba had been leading the way in the James Bond odds for a number of years, with many thinking he is the perfect candidate to be the first ever black actor to land the famous role. In 2018, in the same month that he teased playing the role with a tweet that read: 'My name's Elba, Idris Elba', he then told reporters at the premiere of his film Yardie, that he would not be taking on the role.
Fast forward to 2025 and Idris shared a video of himself next to the waxworks of previous Bond actors, teasing fans that he could be once again in the running for the role.
Barry Keoghan
With his name doing the rounds, Irish actor Barry Keoghan responded to rumours. Speaking during an interview with Radio Times, the Saltburn actor said: "(James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that It's nice to see your name go up there, but I don't think I fit the criteria for James Bond."
However, it does sound like he's keen for a role as a Bond villain, adding: "I'd rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, that's more me."
Theo James
Known for his roles in huge titles such as The Gentlemen, the Divergent film series, Underworld and How It Ends, it's fair to say that Theo James would make the perfect Bond. In May 2025, the actor saw his odds significantly rise, thanks to a savvy Dolce & Gabbana campaign - with BetMGM pinning him at 6/4.
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, Outlaw King, Bullet Train 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. Not only that, but rumours concerning him bagging the role heated up even more in May 2025, when Aaron was announced as the new global brand ambassador for Swiss watchmaker Omega. As fans will know, Agent 007 famously sports the Omega Seamaster, and has been proudly worn by Bond since 1995. Quite the coincidence...
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!
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!
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!
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."
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."
John Boyega
Star Wars actor John Boyega is another rumoured name in the running for the famed 007 role, and at 34-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. He's since gone on to appear in huge films like Gladiator 2, Hamnet and The History of Sound, so could he take on the role of 007 next?
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."
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."
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."
Leo Woodall
One Day and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy star Leo Woodall is another actor who has been thrown into the mix - thanks to his recent rise in popularity thanks to the Netflix series One Day, as well as appearing in the main cast of the highly-anticipated second season of HBO's The White Lotus, where he played the role of Jack. In 2025, he played the role of Roxster in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. The actor was thought to have a 'reasonable chance' at bagging the celebrated role last year, with William Hill pinning his odds at 16/1 at one point.
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:
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