Is Callum Turner about to be the next James Bond?
He does look good in a tuxedo
ARE WE ABOUT TO SEE the ascension of Callum Turner? The 34-year-old British actor has suddenly become the frontrunner to step into a tux and get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin and become the new James Bond.
The news cycle loves a guessing game, especially when it comes to trying to pick the star who’ll play one of the most iconic male characters on film (and with it, all those brand partnerships…). But this isn’t coming entirely out of nowhere. A UK bookmaking site, Coral, has made the call for Turner, saying that he’s now “red hot” favourite to win the role in the next phase of the film’s franchise.
For those who need to see the numbers, Coral has shown that Turner’s odds of playing Bond have dropped from 5-2 to 7-4. “We’ve been knocked over with support for Callum Turner in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours,” said Coral’s John Hill in a statement to The Standard. “The British actor is now the red-hot favourite for the role.”
Turner’s rise into the Bond conversation feels timely. His career has been picking up pace over the past few years without tipping into mega stardom, placing him at a rare and useful point for a role like this. He’s recognisable, but not overly familiar.
After early global exposure through the Fantastic Beasts films, Turner made a conscious pivot toward projects that let him flex some genuine acting chops. The Last Letter From Your Lover and Masters of the Air positioned him as a leading man who could hold emotional weight without leaning on bravado. His recent turn in Eternity, starring alongside Elizabeth Olsen, continued that trajectory.
It also helps that Turner, like Daniel Craig, also possesses a natural British suaveness. Plus, the correct physicality. The risk that the powers that be (cough, Amazon, cough, Bezos cough) might try and turn Bond into some hulking muscular beast a la Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher has always been the biggest fear among Bond fans. It’s a peculiar balance – Bond has to look like he can throw a punch and take a few himself, but he also has to fit into a suit.
Another element working quietly in his favour is the absence of an existing watch endorsement. Many actors operating at Turner’s level are already aligned with major luxury brands. He remains unsigned, creating a rare opening for Omega, Bond’s long-standing horological partner. Historically, the Omega relationship is most effective when it formalises alongside a new Bond rather than retrofitting an existing ambassador. Turner offers exactly that opportunity – a clean slate for the brand to build visibility and narrative in tandem with the franchise’s next chapter.
Perhaps most importantly, Turner arrives without the cultural noise that can cling to highly visible stars. His public image is still led by his work rather than off-screen mythology or heavy brand formatting. That restraint keeps the focus where it should sit: on the character.
Not for nothing but he’s also engaged to the perfect Bond Girl… Someone get Dua on the phone ASAP.
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