The Seven Faces Of 007: Every Actor Who Has Played James Bond And The Race For The Next Spy

The question of "Who is James Bond?" is a complex one, as the legendary Secret Service agent 007 is a character designed to be continually recast, a concept that has allowed the franchise to thrive for over six decades. As of today, December 22, 2025, six actors have officially portrayed James Bond in the main Eon Productions film series, each bringing a unique flair, style, and interpretation to the character created by novelist Ian Fleming. With Daniel Craig's emotional departure in *No Time to Die*, the world is currently on the edge of its seat, eagerly awaiting the announcement of the seventh official actor to take up the mantle and the iconic Walther PPK. This comprehensive guide details the careers and legacies of the six official actors, plus the surprising history of the "unofficial" Bonds, and provides the absolute latest, most current information on the casting process for the next incarnation of the world's most famous spy, including the current frontrunner who has reportedly met with producer Barbara Broccoli.

The Definitive List of Official Eon Productions James Bond Actors

The Eon Productions series, helmed by the family of original producer Albert R. Broccoli, is the only official cinematic continuity for James Bond. Here is the complete list of the six actors who have officially played 007 on the big screen, along with their key biographical and filmography details.

• Sean Connery (1962–1967, 1971): The Original Icon
  • Born: August 25, 1930 (Edinburgh, Scotland)
  • Eon Films: 6 (*Dr. No*, *From Russia with Love*, *Goldfinger*, *Thunderball*, *You Only Live Twice*, *Diamonds Are Forever*)
  • Legacy: Connery set the gold standard, defining the character's blend of ruthlessness, charm, and sophistication. His era, particularly the success of *Goldfinger* (1964), established the franchise's template of global espionage, exotic locations, and advanced gadgets, often provided by Q.
• George Lazenby (1969): The One-Film Wonder
  • Born: September 5, 1939 (Queanbeyan, Australia)
  • Eon Films: 1 (*On Her Majesty's Secret Service*)
  • Legacy: A former model with no prior acting experience, Lazenby is unique for his single, critically acclaimed performance. He famously turned down a seven-film contract, believing the character would not survive the 1970s. His film is often praised for its fidelity to Ian Fleming's novel and its emotional depth, culminating in Bond's marriage and tragedy.
• Sir Roger Moore (1973–1985): The Flamboyant Gentleman
  • Born: October 14, 1927 (London, England)
  • Eon Films: 7 (*Live and Let Die*, *The Man with the Golden Gun*, *The Spy Who Loved Me*, *Moonraker*, *For Your Eyes Only*, *Octopussy*, *A View to a Kill*)
  • Legacy: Moore holds the record for the most official Eon Bond films. His interpretation was lighter, more comedic, and emphasized the playboy aspect of the spy, perfectly matching the action-adventure tone of the 1970s and 80s.
• Timothy Dalton (1987–1989): The Novel-Faithful Spy
  • Born: March 21, 1946 (Colwyn Bay, Wales)
  • Eon Films: 2 (*The Living Daylights*, *License to Kill*)
  • Legacy: Dalton sought to return to the darker, more serious character described in Fleming's original novels. His brief tenure was marked by a grittier, more intense portrayal, focusing on 007 as a professional assassin rather than a witty playboy.
• Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002): The Modern Classicist
  • Born: May 16, 1953 (Drogheda, Ireland)
  • Eon Films: 4 (*GoldenEye*, *Tomorrow Never Dies*, *The World Is Not Enough*, *Die Another Day*)
  • Legacy: Brosnan successfully rebooted the franchise after a six-year hiatus, bridging the gap between the Cold War-era Bond and the modern world. His performance masterfully combined Connery's cool elegance with Moore's charm, making his debut in *GoldenEye* a massive critical and commercial success.
• Daniel Craig (2006–2021): The Gritty Reboot
  • Born: March 2, 1968 (Chester, England)
  • Eon Films: 5 (*Casino Royale*, *Quantum of Solace*, *Skyfall*, *Spectre*, *No Time to Die*)
  • Legacy: Craig’s era completely redefined the character, introducing a serialized storyline and a more physically brutal, emotionally vulnerable 007. *Casino Royale* (2006) stripped away the gadgets to focus on the man, culminating in the character's definitive on-screen death in *No Time to Die* (2021), a franchise first.

The Next 007: Who Will Follow Daniel Craig?

The search for the seventh official James Bond actor is one of the most closely watched casting processes in Hollywood history, with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson taking their time to find the right "fresh face" for the role. The next actor will star in *Bond 26*, the first film of a new era for Eon Productions and its partner, Amazon MGM.

The New Casting Criteria and Frontrunners

Producer Barbara Broccoli has been clear that the next Bond will be a reinvention, not a continuation. Key criteria and conditions for the next 007 have been widely reported:

• Age: The actor must be in their 30s, allowing them to commit to a 10-15 year, multi-film contract. This rules out older fan favorites like Idris Elba and younger stars like Tom Holland.
• Nationality: The actor must be British.
• Diversity: Broccoli has stated that the actor's "whiteness is not a given," opening the door for a non-white actor to take the role for the first time.

As of late 2025, the speculation has largely coalesced around one major frontrunner:

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

The British actor, known for roles in *Kick-Ass* and *Nocturnal Animals*, is currently the strongest candidate. Reports indicate that Taylor-Johnson had a highly successful meeting with Barbara Broccoli, and some sources suggest he has already participated in the character's signature "gun barrel" screen test. While no official announcement has been made, the industry buzz around Taylor-Johnson is the loudest it has been for any candidate since Daniel Craig was cast.

Other Major Candidates and Entities

While the spotlight is on Taylor-Johnson, the following actors remain key entities in the ongoing Bond conversation:

• Henry Cavill: A long-time fan favorite who famously auditioned for *Casino Royale* but was deemed too young at the time.
• Cillian Murphy: The Oscar-winning Irish actor has received support from former Bond Pierce Brosnan, though his age might be a factor.
• Damson Idris: A prominent young Black British actor whose name frequently appears in discussions, fitting the criteria for a "fresh face" in his early 30s.
• Harris Dickinson & Jacob Elordi: Younger British actors who fit the "under 30" profile that some reports initially suggested Amazon MGM was targeting, though Broccoli's stated preference for the 30s range is now the dominant factor.

The next actor will not only inherit the Aston Martin and the license to kill but will also define the character for a new generation, navigating a post-*No Time to Die* world where the threat of SPECTRE is gone and the very nature of the Secret Service is up for a modern re-evaluation.

The Unofficial & Forgotten Bonds: Expanding the 007 Universe

To truly understand the history of the character, one must look beyond the Eon Productions canon. The James Bond entity was first adapted for the screen long before *Dr. No* (1962), and one other non-Eon film exists.

Barry Nelson (1954)

The first actor to ever portray James Bond was American actor Barry Nelson in a 1954 television adaptation of Ian Fleming's first novel, *Casino Royale*, for the anthology series *Climax!* Nelson's Bond was an American agent named "Jimmy Bond," a significant departure from the British character.

David Niven (1967)

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British actor David Niven portrayed the character in the 1967 film *Casino Royale*. This film was a satirical, non-Eon spoof that was only possible because of a rights issue with the book. Niven's portrayal was of an older, retired Sir James Bond, making it a unique and eccentric entry in the overall 007 film history.

Sean Connery (Unofficial - 1983)

While Connery's six Eon films are official, his final outing, *Never Say Never Again* (1983), is considered unofficial. This was a remake of *Thunderball* due to a separate rights agreement, putting Connery in direct competition with Roger Moore's official Eon film *Octopussy*, which was released the same year. This rivalry is a fascinating footnote in the history of the James Bond franchise.

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