It's been the question on everyone's lips: who will be the next James Bond?
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Four years on since Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 in No Time to Die, there has been plenty of speculation as to who could step into the iconic role, which has only heightened following the news that longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson would be stepping back from the Bond franchise and giving full creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.
From the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Harris Dickinson, Theo James, Callum Turner and plenty more, anyone could be the next 007 – and former Miss Moneypenny, Naomie Harris, has given her verdict on who could fit into the tux.
Speaking to Radio Times magazine while promoting her new spy film Black Bag alongside Marisa Abela, Harris said the next Bond will be "whoever inhabits the qualities" of the secret service agent.
"Sophistication, sexiness, mystery, sense of humour, charm – that should play the role, male or female," she said.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in No Time to Die. MGM
Meanwhile, Abela added: "It would be so hard for any woman to take on that role, because there would be so much backlash. I’m not sure if audiences are ready for it yet…"
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Pierce Brosnan expressed that it was "right decision" for Broccoli and Wilson to step back and hand over creative control.
He said: "I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael.
"It takes great courage for them to let go. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect."
As for who should be the next 007, there is one non-negotiable for Brosnan, with the Irish actor telling the publication it was a "given" that whoever will be the next Bond should be British.
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Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
