James Bond: Inside life of relatively unknown Scottish actor emerging as favourite for next star

Scottish actor Stuart Martin is said to be in 'serious contention' to replace Daniel Craig as the new James Bond, but what else do we know about the potential next 007?

Stuart Martin is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement for Daniel Craig in the iconic role of James Bond.

The Ayrshire-born actor may not be as well-known as other contenders for the coveted role, but his decade-long acting career has apparently impressed Eon Productions owners Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who produce the Bond films. Stuart, 39, is said to have been in 'under the radar' discussions with the production company, with insiders suggesting he's in 'serious contention' to become the next 007 - which would make him the first Scottish Bond since the legendary Sean Connery.

But who exactly is this relatively unknown Scottish star, Stuart Martin? And why is he being eyed for such a prestigious acting role? Here's everything we know about him so far...

Life off-screen

Stuart is a 39-year-old actor from Ayrshire in Scotland. He studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before landing his first major acting role in 2014, reports the Daily Record. He has been married to British actress Lisa McGrillis since 2015, having met her at a Christmas party at the National Theatre bar. They are believed to be living in London with their two children, a son and a daughter.

Lead roles

The actor made a splash on the scene in Channel 4's comedy-drama 'Babylon' back in 2014, playing PC Tony Forbes. From there, he snagged parts in historical epics like 'Medici: Masters of Florence' and 'Jamestown.' His stardom really soared when he took on the lead as DI William Wellington in the period drama 'Miss Scarlet and The Duke,' which is confirmed to run for four smashing seasons until 2024.

He also took on the role of Den in Netflix's sci-fi and action movie 'Rebel Moon'. But it was donning the tough guy boots as Bradley Cage in Zack Snyder's rip-roaring 2021 flick 'Army of Thieves' that may just have piqued Bond producer Barbara Broccoli's interest – especially after those gripping shootout scenes where Martin threw himself at cars in a spectacle of stunts.

For his role in 'Army of Thieves,' Martin had to transform into a bona fide action figure, hitting the gym hard to bulk up as he explained to Untitled Magazine, "Brad is a muscle head, so I was just smashing the gym and training in the months leading up to try and give him that look and feel."

He also spoke to Lewis Magazine about the incredible experience on set, saying, "We got to do some really cool stuff with some of the heists. Our stunt director had us doing crazy stuff, jumping into the back of moving vans with the camera."

Martin isn't slowing down either as he's in production for Channel 4's upcoming drama 'In Flight', which is expected to grace our screens later this year.

Bond rumours

Industry insiders murmur that Martin's work on 'Army of Thieves' and 'Rebel Moon' (2023), which is also directed by Zack Synder, showcase an impressive resume of action sequences, significantly boosting his chances with 007 bosses. A movie consultant from LA who has worked on the Bond franchise revealed, "Stuart is the name that has been discussed in Bond circles by those in the know.

"He is in serious contention. No-one will confirm this because Eon goes all out to deny and shy away from anything concerning casting, but it would be an amazing milestone to have a Scottish Bond again."

The insider also mentioned that while Stuart is a frontrunner, he still has 'hurdles to jump through', including various meetings so that Eon can 'get a feel for his personality'. They elaborated further: "And let's not forget, Eon doesn't give a damn whether the man who lands the job is famous or not. It is about getting the man they want and who they feel is best suited for this life changing experience. It is more pressure, scrutiny and stress than any other movie role."

It comes as Aaron Taylor Johnson reportedly completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios under the watchful eye of Eon boss Barbara Broccoli back in March 2022. However, whispers are that producers have doubts regarding his 'credentials' for the iconic role following the lacklustre reaction to his recent film, 'Kraven the Hunter'.