James Bond fans spot 'sign' TV star has already signed up for iconic role

James Bond fans are awaiting an announcement on who will replace Daniel Craig as the lead of the franchise, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton among the rumoured names

Eagle-eyed TV viewers believe they have spotted a sign that an actor may have already signed on to play James Bond.

There has been much speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the film franchise. Aaron Taylor-Johnson's been a frontrunner, whilst Josh O'Connor, Idris Elba and Theo James have also been among the rumoured names.

Podcast hosts Benedict Townsend and Hannah Townsend however have suggested that James Norton, 39, may have already signed up to play the secret agent. They discussed a scene from his show Playing Nice in a post on the TikTok page for their podcast Talk Of The Townsends this week.

They recalled that in the second episode of the ITV drama James' character Pete Riley attends a gala event with his partner Maddie Wilson (played by Niamh Algar). Unlike the other attendees, Pete isn't wearing a tuxedo, with him instead seen wearing just a regular suit. Benedict and Hannah suggested that it could play into the long-running rumour that actors can't wear tuxedos in other projects while under contract as Bond.

In the recent video to their followers, Hannah began by saying: "Are you watching the brand new ITV drama Playing Nice? And if you are, did you notice this?" Benedict continued: "So James Norton is in the show and he has long been rumoured to be the next James Bond. Now, every James Bond has in their contract they cannot wear a tuxedo in any other media while they are James Bond."

Benedict added: "There's a scene in the [second] episode of Playing Nice where they're at a gala. Every single man in that room is wearing a tuxedo except James Norton, who is wearing a regular suit. Now, admittedly his character is meant to be sort of humbled, so it could just be some sort of character-related wardrobe."

Hannah went on to comment: "But it could be he is maybe going to be the next James Bond." Benedict then said: "He might have signed the contract already and then he would be precluded from wearing a tux." He added: "It's only after you've signed the contract. So Daniel Craig can wear a tux now in a movie. But you didn't see him in a tux the entire time he played James Bond."

Filming for Playing Nice is however said to have taken place in late 2023 and early 2024. It has been suggested since then though that no one has been cast as the next Bond yet, including franchise producer Barbara Broccoli telling Deadline in February last year: "Nothing is happening yet." There is yet to be an announcement on who will take over the role.

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