New Brit actor ‘makes James Bond shortlist’ as screentests for new 007 ‘begin in days’

AN unlikely Brit actor has emerged as a strong contender to take on the role of James Bond for the next movie. Screentests for the part are expected to begin in just days with little-known actor Jack Barton now leading the pack, according to Page Six. Little known Brit actor Jack Barton is wanted to take on the role of James Bond Credit: Getty He will be taking over the role from Daniel Craig Credit: Alamy He only first began acting professionally in 2020 with his most notable roles being Netflix‘s Heartstopper and the BBC SAS: Rogue Heroes in 2025. Apart from a slew of other minor TV roles, little else is known about Jack but he has shot straight to the top of the pack of potential actors. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! It is thought that James Bond‘s casting directors are the ones backing Jack but could face a pushback from Amazon – who are expected to push for a more well-known name. Debbie McWilliams, has long been the lead casting director for the franchise and picked Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for the role. She had previously insisted that the part should be played by a newcomer. In an interview with The Independent back in June, she said: “I don’t want to see any of [the rumoured stars] as Bond because we now know so much about them. “We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are. We don’t need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives. “We never want to see him at home. And a vital element of the whole thing is his job description. Most read in TV “He’s licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.” The other names who are understood to be on the shortlist to play the part include Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal and Harris Dickinson. The screen tests are expected to take place in early September. Comment now