From Connery to Craig: James Bond in the Spotlight Archives

As the high-stakes search for the next 007 commences, we look at the actors who brought Bond to life on screen. 

Amazon MGM Studios has officially kicked off the audition process to find the next James Bond. To spearhead this monumental task, the studio has enlisted Oscar-nominated casting director Nina Gold.

Nina is widely recognised for populating expansive, critically acclaimed worlds, including Game of Thrones, The Crown, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy. She was also part of the historic first class of Academy Award nominees for casting for her work on Hamnet. Her mission is to find an actor capable of bringing the iconic MI6 spy into a brand-new era. 

Nina takes over the casting mantle from industry legend Debbie McWilliams, who has now retired from the profession. Debbie was the casting powerhouse responsible for bringing Daniel Craig into the fold and, before that, casting Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton.

Watch Debbie McWilliams sharing fascinating insights from her time casting Bond at The Spotlight Conference.

The Creative Team Behind the 26th Bond Film

While Nina searches for the new face of MI6, a world-class creative team has already been assembled behind the camera to completely reinvent the franchise:

• Director: Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival)
• Screenwriter: Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Eastern Promises, Spencer)
• Producers: Amy Pascal (Spider-Man franchise) and David Heyman (Harry Potter franchise)
• Executive Producer: Tanya Lapointe (Dune: Part Two)

Headshots of the Bonds Gone By

While internet speculation continues to run hot with rumours of who will be stepping into James Bond’s tuxedo, official channels are, of course, keeping their cards close to their chest.

As we wait to see who‘ll continue the legacy, we paid a visit to the Spotlight archives to look back at the headshots of the Bonds gone by…

Sean Connery, debuted as ‘James Bond’ in 1962

 Films: Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever.

Roger Moore, debuted as James Bond in 1973

 Films: 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.

Timothy Dalton, debuted as James Bond in 1987

 Films: The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill.

Pierce Brosnan, debuted as James Bond in 1995

 Films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day

Daniel Craig, debuted as James Bond in 2006

Films: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, No Time To Die

We may have to wait a little longer to find out who will be ordering the next martini, but looking back at the legendary headshots in our archives proves that while the actors change, the home of incredible British and Irish talent remains exactly the same: Spotlight.