James Norton: Next Potential James Bond?

The news that Amazon MGM Studios are now casting the next has the showbusiness world shaken and stirred – and I can reveal the name of the actor who the writer of the next film thinks would be perfect for the role.

Steven Knight, who made his name with , thinks  has what it takes to play 007. He wrote the part of the 'new Bond' with the star in mind.

Some years ago, Norton was at the forefront of the 'Next Bond' conversations, but recently people have concentrated on younger actors like Callum Turner, Harris Dickinson and .

However, at 40, Norton is only two years older than  was when he was cast – so he could happily sign up to make 15 years of Bond films, as Craig did. 

Like Craig, his has been largely a TV and theatre career up to this point. 

I'm told producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal – who will make the final decision, along with director Denis Villeneuve – want the next Bond to be someone who does not have a big international movie profile already.

That will count against Harris Dickinson, who'll be globally famous after starring as in the forthcoming films; and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been in a number of big films.

It might also rule out Australian actor Jacob Elordi who, thanks to Frankenstein and Euphoria, is arguably just too 'big' already.

Bonds tend not to be big stars... before assuming 007 status.

Sean Connery wasn't really known before Bond, and George Lazenby had never acted outside of TV commercials. Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan were TV stars, but not movie stars. 

Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig did a lot of character actor work before their big breaks.