Final James Bond screen tests reportedly under way as three actors vie for 007
Final screen tests for the next James Bond are reportedly taking place, with Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden among the contenders and an announcement possible around Christmas.
How it was covered
- BBC News carried 54% of the airtime.
- Channel 4, ITV, Sky News and BBC Two: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
Final screen tests to decide who will play the next James Bond are reported to be taking place this weekend, possibly starting today. The auditions are said to involve a small group of actors, with Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden among the names in contention. Reports suggest the field may include between three and five actors, and at least four have been issued test offers by Amazon MGM Studios, according to film industry outlets. A fourth contender has not been identified publicly, and one report describes that person as a newcomer.
Jack Lowden is currently the bookmakers' favourite. He plays a very different kind of spy in the TV series Slow Horses and has been described as a brilliant actor. Josh O'Connor is best known for playing the young Prince Charles in The Crown and has appeared opposite Daniel Craig in a Knives Out film. Callum Turner is known for the Fantastic Beasts films, The Capture and Masters of the Air, and is married to singer Dua Lipa. Media speculation has linked Dua Lipa with a possible Bond theme song, though nothing has been confirmed.
The screen tests are expected to be intense. Candidates are reportedly being judged on stunts, camera presence and dialogue. Previous Bond auditions often used the hotel bedroom scene from From Russia with Love. This time, the actors are said to be performing scenes from a script by Steven Knight, the writer of Peaky Blinders, as well as taking part in physical tests. There has been no word on whether they will be asked how they prefer their martini.
Denis Villeneuve, director of the recent Dune films, is reported to be directing the next film. Steven Knight is writing. Casting director Nina Gold, whose credits include Game of Thrones and The Crown, is also said to be involved. Amazon MGM Studios is now overseeing the franchise after the Broccoli family stepped back following more than 60 years. The next actor will be the first new Bond since Daniel Craig stepped down.
No announcement date has been confirmed. Producer Amy Pascal has said an announcement by the end of the year would be a good bet, while other reports point to a name around Christmas. There is also speculation that producers could choose an actor who has not been widely linked to the role, or spring a surprise. For now, the race remains unconfirmed, with the main contenders yet to be officially named.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely reported · 3 or more of 4 channels | ||||
| Final auditions for the next James Bond are reportedly taking place this weekend, with between three and five actors thought to be in contention. | ||||
| Callum Turner is reported to be among the actors in the running to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. | Not reported by BBC News | |||
| Reported by a few · 2 channels | ||||
| Amy Pascal indicated that an announcement was likely by the end of the year. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by GB News |
| Only on one channel | ||||
| Amazon MGM Studios reportedly issued test offers to at least four actors. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by GB News |
| Denis Villeneuve was reported as the director of the new James Bond film. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by GB News | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West treated the story as a straight entertainment report. It led on the reported weekend auditions and the lack of official confirmation, then profiled the three named actors. It also noted that producer Amy Pascal had suggested an announcement by the end of the year.
- “final auditions are taking place this weekend, starting perhaps as early as today”
- “among the actors being reported as being in the running to replace Daniel Craig as 007 are Callum Turner”
- “one of the film's producers, Amy Pascal, has said that an announcement by the end of the year would be a good bet”
5 framed the story as an excited entertainment item. It focused on the frontrunners, the rumoured unknown fourth contender and the new creative team. It also speculated about Dua Lipa, Saoirse Ronan and Stephen Graham, and suggested producers might cast a newcomer.
- “the search for the next James Bond may finally be coming to a close”
- “there is apparently a fourth that we have no idea who it is. Apparently it's a newbie”
- “Denis Villeneuve is now the director. Now, he is in charge of all the Dunes.”
GB News covered the reports but quickly moved into studio opinion and betting talk. It named the three actors and the secret fourth contender, citing Deadline and The Guardian, then presenters discussed personal favourites such as Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The segment was more opinionated and jokey than the other channels.
- “the hunt for the next James Bond has entered its final phase”
- “According to US publication Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios has issued test offers to at least four actors vying for the coveted role.”
- “So those are Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, Masters of the Air, Callum Turner and The Crown's Josh O'Connor. They are said to be three of the four.”
BBC NEWS gave the most detailed and analytical coverage across its two segments. It explained the test format, the reported shift away from the traditional From Russia with Love scene, and the role of casting director Nina Gold. It also discussed bookmaker odds, Amazon MGM's plans and the expected timing of an announcement around Christmas.
- “The candidates' tests will reportedly be focusing on three elements, stunts, camera presence and dialogue.”
- “So this time they are doing scenes from the script by Steven Knight, writer of Peaky Blinders.”
- “Jack Lowden is the current favourite according to the bookies.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 03:23 BST
Sandro Monetti, entertainment reporter
BBC News · Sat 24 Oct - 08:51 GMT
Mark O'Connell, writer author and Bond expert
BBC News · Sun 25 Oct
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.