Steven Knight addresses next James Bond cast
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Has the next James Bond already been cast? Steven Knight finally addresses the rumours

'It feels like I’m doing my duty for King and country'

Suchismita Ghosh
9th September 2026, 11:45
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The writer of the next James Bond film, Steven Knight, has addressed whether the next 007 has already been cast, and, well, he didn’t exactly say no.

The Peaky Blinders creator is writing the next Bond film for Amazon MGM, with Denis Villeneuve directing. So you’d assume he might have some idea who is taking over from Daniel Craig.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Knight addressed whether the producers have already made their choice, after Slow Horses star Gary Oldman appeared to suggest exactly that.

He said, “I cannot speak about this subject. Much as I would dearly love to.” 

Okay then. That’s not a yes. But it’s also… not really a no.

Knight was also asked whether knowing who was playing James Bond would make writing the character easier. “It does make life a little bit easier if you know who that person is, but also you have to write the character, not the actor,” Knight said.

When asked whether he knew who the actor was before he started writing or found out halfway through, Knight laughed and replied, “I refer you to my previous answer.”

And while everyone else is trying to work out who the next Bond is, Knight seems to be staying well away from the drama. He said he has been trying to ignore the speculation and focus on writing the film.

“It feels like I’m doing my duty for King and country,” he said. “If you’re a British writer, you have to do it.”

He also said, “The thing with Bond is it’s its own universe, and it’s its own franchise. So there are certain rules. I mean, obviously you have to move it along, but I love where it sits.”

He then added, “I love that it’s British. I love that it’s not DC or Marvel … So I feel a responsibility to the text.”

Gary Oldman said the choice has already been made

The timing is pretty interesting because Gary Oldman has already claimed that the Bond producers have picked someone. Oldman, who stars with Jack Lowden in Slow Horses, was asked about the possibility of his co-star becoming 007.

According to Deadline, he said, “It’s been rumoured that he’s on the shortlist. We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.”

Lowden is now one of the biggest names being linked with the role, although Amazon MGM has not confirmed that he has been cast. Other actors who have been mentioned include Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Harris Dickinson.

Amazon MGM officially opened casting for the role in May, after taking full creative control of the Bond franchise from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.

It was also reported over the summer that auditions were taking place, with producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman and director Denis Villeneuve involved.

Pascal has previously said that an announcement could come before the end of 2026. “We are being really, really methodical,” she told Deadline. “Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”

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