Could Regé-Jean Page be the next James Bond? Why Bridgerton actor is favourite to replace Daniel Craig as 007

Regé-Jean Page has responded to the recent rumours that he could be next in line to take on the role of James Bond.

Page recently starred in Netflix’s popular hit period drama Bridgerton, which saw the British actor shoot to fame thanks to his performance as the Duke of Hastings.

However, the actor recently revealed that he will not be returning to the show for season 2, which sparked rumours that he could be the next 007 when Daniel Craig hangs up his hat after No Time To Die releases in October.

So could the Bridgerton actor be the next James Bond?Here’s everything you need to know.

What are the odds on Page becoming the next James Bond?

Page is currently odds on favourite to take over from Daniel Craig.

Craig will have his last outing as 007 in No Time To Die, which is scheduled for release in October 2021.

Betfair have given odds of 6/5 for Page to take the lead role in the British spy franchise.

However, according to the betting service, members of the public became so convinced the actor would take over the role that they halted taking on bets.

Betway spokesperson Chad Yeomans said: “Following the announcement that Regé-Jean Page has left his role as Simon Basset, the mysterious young suitor in Bridgerton, all betting on the next James Bond market has been suspended.

“Are we finally about to get the long awaited announcement on Daniel Craig’s replacement as the next James Bond?”

Bookmakers Coral on Tuesday (6 April) also made him favourite to be the new Bond, putting him on odds of 5/2 and previous favourites Tom Hardy and Grandchester’s James Norton joint second at 3/1.

What has Regé-Jean Page said about the Bond rumours?

The Bridgerton star has said he’s “flattered” to be tipped as the next James Bond.

Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “Ah, the B word. I think that if you are British and you do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.”

The 31-year-old actor added: “I think that’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed. Nothing more – or less – than that.”

“I think the concept of having plans in this moment in history is mildly hilarious. So I’ve given up on making them.”

Why is he leaving Bridgerton?

In an interview with Variety at the start of April, Page revealed that he would not be returning for season two of Bridgerton.

Starring as the Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, the actor said that he had only signed on for one season in the show adding: “It’s a one-season arc. It’s going to have a beginning, middle, end – give us a year.”

“[I thought] ‘That’s interesting,’ because then it felt like a limited series. I get to come in, I get to contribute my bit and then the Bridgerton family rolls on.”

The British-Zimbabwean star added that he relished the idea that the show is essentially an anthology, with each season dedicated to a different sibling’s love story.

“One of the things that is different about this [romance] genre is that the audience knows the arc completes,” he explained. “They come in knowing that, so you can tie people in emotional knots because they have that reassurance that we’re going to come out and we’re going to have the marriage and the baby.”

In a statement by Netflix, the streaming service revealed the news via a notice from Lady Whistledown.

“Dear Readers, while all eyes turn to Lord Anthony Bridgerton’s quest to find a Viscountess, we bid adieu to Regé-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings,” the message began.

“We’ll miss Simon’s presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family,” it continued. “Daphne will remain a devoted wife and sister, helping her brother navigate the upcoming social season and what it has to offer – more intrigue and romance than my readers may be able to bear.”

Who else is in the running to play Bond?

Tom Hardy and James Norton are also in the running for the role of James Bond.

Hardy was recently seen in BBC’s Taboo series, where he played James Keziah Delaney, and in Peaky Blinders where he was Alfie Solomons.

James Norton is known for his work in Grantchester, War & Peace, McMafia and British cop show Happy Valley. He is currently on odds of 3/1 to take over the role of 007.

Other names featured in the running for the British spy are Idris Elba, Sam Heughan, Henry Cavill, and Richard Madden.