Is Richard Madden going to follow in Sean Connery's footsteps and become the second Scottish actor to play 007?
Richard Madden looks set to be the next James Bond after bookies made him the hot favourite to take over from Daniel Craig as 007.
Over the weekend you could get double-digit prices on the 32-year-old Scottish actor taking on the coveted role, but now he’s been installed as the favourite.
Punters have wadded in following a report by the Daily Mail at the weekend that Bond bosses “are on the brink of approaching” Richard.
The paper said that Bond supremo Barbara Broccoli could approach the star this week.
A source told them: “It’s seriously looking like he [Richard Madden] is going to get the job. Not only is he on top of Barbara’s list, but she is preparing to offer the role.”
Bookies are taking no chances, with Sky Bet now offering odds of just 11/10 on Richard getting the role, as previous favourite, Night Manager star Tom Hiddleston, is replaced at the top of the market.
Game of Thrones star Richard advertised his credentials for the role with a storming performing as protection officer David Budd opposite Keeley Hawes’ doomed Home Secretary in Bodyguard, which was the BBC’s biggest new drama of the decade.
If Richard did become the next Bond it would raise a question as to whether he’d have time to make a second series of Bodyguard.
The thriller’s creator, Jed Mercurio, has already told the Radio Times that getting Richard back for a second series could prove tricky: “He’s the genuine article, a real leading man. And I think this role has put him very much in the spotlight for bigger things.
“So the practicality may be that we have to work round his availability, if we are lucky enough to get him back," said Jed.
Meanwhile, Daniel Craig will be back for one more outing as James Bond before Richard Madden – or maybe someone else – gets to become 007.
