Downton Abbey shock: Will Michelle Dockery be the next James Bond?

Downton Abbey is coming back to the screen – but this time in the cinema rather than the small screen. And with No Time To Die coming out next April, this will be a great year for British film. But could those two worlds collide if one of the Downton Abbey stars takes on the mantle of James Bond?

Will Michelle Dockery be the next James Bond?

Michelle Dockery, better known to many as Lady Mary of Downton Abbey, has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons by suggesting she would take on the role.

When asked the question by The Independent, she said: “I love Bond, so yeah, I’d never say no.

“I think a lot is changing with those films – I’m looking forward to the next one for that reason.

“Those rumours about Gillian Anderson [being the new Bond], years ago. I was so up for that, it was like, ‘When does it happen, when does it start filming?”

But if the role did not come her way, she would be happy to take a villain.

She added: “Those roles with a darker side definitely appeal to me. It’s all about them feeling authentic.

“I’ve never played a really mean character, although Lady Mary can be a bit like that at times.”

Another woman at the centre of James Bond discussion is Lashana Lynch, who was confirmed to be taking over the 007 name after James Bond retired at the end of Spectre.

There are also other women in the frame, including Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron or even Moneypenny, Naomie Harris taking on the Bond name

According to Paddy Power, these are the odds:

6/1  Lashana Lynch

3/1  Emily Blunt

8/1   Charlize Theron

12/1  Lupita Nyong’o

7/1  Naomie Harris

25/1  Lauren Cohan

As mentioned by Michelle, there has also been discussion of Gillian Anderson, best known for The X Files, of taking on the Bond franchise.

However, while many women have been thrown into the mix, there are still plenty of men who may take on the role, including James Norton, Richard Madden and Idris Elba.

But there is also potential another of Downton Abbey’s leading men could take the role – such as Matthew Goode, who plays Lady Mary’s husband Henry Talbot.

Downton Abbey is in cinemas on September 13 and No Time to Die is in cinemas on April 3, 2020