James Bond 26: Emilia Clarke DEFIES expectations as odds hold steady for new female 007

James Bond fans are desperate to find out who will take over from Daniel Craig as 007 after No Time To Die, but the decision is still being kept tightly under wraps. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke is still looking good for it, with her odds holding steady with a 20-1 shot, according to bookies.

Could the fact Clarke has managed to maintain her place among the frontrunners for 007 indicate a bigger demand for a female Bond than was previously known?

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes told Express.co.uk: “Generally those odds tend to drift after a couple of days whenever anyone says something like they want to be the first female Bond.”

It’s been almost three weeks since Clarke threw her hat in the ring for the next 007.

“Punters are seemingly convinced if it is to be a female replacing Daniel Craig then she’ll be the one!” Apati added.

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During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he reaffirmed his time is over, saying: “Yes, it’s done.”

His assertion comes after speculation Bond 25 might not, in fact, be his last, after he said “maybe” to being done with the part.

Back in April, he told one outlet: “Yeah, no it is,” telling another: “Yes, it’s my last one. Apparently it is.”

Having cleared up the fact No Time To Die will be Craig’s farewell to Bond, fans can now turn their attention to who could be next in line.

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Currently, Outlander star Sam Heughan is still first in line with bookies, priced at 5-2.

Hot on his heels are James Norton, Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston, all on 5-1, who have been consistent frontrunners for months.

Last week, Avengers actor Chris Hemsworth made a surprise entrance, being installed at 10-1 having previously been nowhere to be seen.

When it comes to the women, Clarke is still leading the pack, but Emily Blunt and Olivia Colman are also on the list (albeit as outsiders) at 66-1.