James Bond frontrunners face fresh competition as NEW star boosted to replace Daniel Craig
James Bond will see a new face take over from Daniel Craig after his final movie, No Time To Die. As it stands, James Norton is still favourite for the job, while previous hot properties Richard Madden, Sam Heughan and Tom Hiddleston are still jostling for the top spots with bookies. Now, however, the race has a new entry.
After winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award 2020 on Sunday, Top Boy actor Michael Ward has been installed at just 16-1 to take over from Craig as the new 007.
“Michael Ward’s career has gone from strength to strength and with a BAFTA now under his belt we reckon he could soon force himself into contention to replace Daniel Craig,” Alex Apati of Ladbrokes told Express.co.uk.
The relatively short odds put Ward just outside the frontrunners to step into Craig’s shoes as the next Bond, behind the likes of Michael Fassbender and Chris Hemsworth at 12-1.
At the top of the list, Happy Valley and Grantchester star Norton’s odds have been trimmed to 6-4 after a flurry more bets over the weekend, while Bodyguard’s Madden is priced at 4-1.
READ MORE: JAMES BOND – JAMES NORTON SURGES AHEAD AFTER ‘CONFIRMATION’
Outlander actor an former favourite Heughan is on an even footing with Loki star Hiddleston at 5-1, while War & Peace’s Jack Lowden remains a surprise frontrunner at 6-1.
Other names in the ring include Aidan Turner (8-1), Tom Hardy (8-1) and Idris Elba (10-1).
Ward started his career as a model at the age of 17 but first got into acting in a school production of Macbeth.
In an interview with NME, he said of his first taste of acting: “It just really sparked something in me. I loved it!”
Last weekend, Ward scooped the EE Rising Star Award at the BAFTAs and gave an emotional acceptance speech.
“Wow, guys. Thank you so much for that reception,” he told the crowd as they cheered the accolade. “I had something planned but it’s all gone to what. Oh my days…
“I just want to say thank you, first of all, to God for making everything possible,” he said, clearly emotional. “Thank you to my dad, ‘cause I know you’re watching down on me, guiding and protecting me on this journey.”
The star also thanked his mother, who was in tears in the audience, saying: “Thank you to my mum for believing in me, sacrificing everything for all of us to be here.”
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Ward went on to give shout-outs to two of his biggest acting achievements so far: Top Boy and Blue Story.
Since its revival on Netflix, the actor has played Jamie in British drama Top Boy.
Last year, he also appeared in Rapman’s gang film Blue Story.
Ward beat fellow potential Bond Lowden to win the BAFTA, also emerging victorious over nominees Awkwafina, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Kaitlyn Dever.
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