9 suave, sophisticated and badass queer actors who should replace Daniel Craig as James Bond
The race to find the next James Bond actor is on, and it’s time to welcome a queer actor into the long-running franchise. (Getty/Theo Wargo/Ray Tamarra/GC Images/Lia Toby)
The race to find the next James Bond is underway as Daniel Craig bids farewell to the role, and honestly, it’s time for a queer actor to finally take on the 007 mantle.
In the almost six decades worth of Bond movies, several actors have played the iconic character including Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. However, Craig tops them all as the longest-serving Bond actor in history as he’s been in the role since his debut in 2006’s Casino Royale.
But now, Craig drank his last shaken-not-stirred martini as 007 in the new film No Time To Die. Craig said in footage that went viral on social media that portraying Bond was “one of the greatest honours of my life”, and he “loved every single second of these movies”.
Speculation is mounting over who should be next to jump into an Aston Martin and take on the world’s bad guys.
Technically, there are no hard-and-fast requirements when casting Craig’s successor. However, the actors that have portrayed 007 have traditionally hailed from the UK or a commonwealth country – George Lazenby is from Australia. They have all shared similar attributes as well as they’ve all been white, male and straight.
The franchise has evolved over the years, and nothing is stopping the James Bond writers from pushing the boundaries and welcoming a queer actor into the mix.
Several stars have been put forward to fill Craig’s shoes, but here are some of our favourite queer actors who would be perfect contenders.
Elliot Page
Elliot Page attends the 2021 Met Gala on 13 September 2021 in New York City. (Getty/Theo Wargo)
Honestly, need we say more? Elliot Page is a serious actor who has a wide range of talent to fit any genre.
Plus, he’s proven that he can take on action roles after starring in Inception, and do you remember him in that stunning Met Gala suit? He was oh-so swoon-inducing and definitely Bond-worthy.
Luke Evans
Luke Evans attends the premiere “Midway” on 5 November 2019 in Westwood, California. (Getty/Frazer Harrison)
The Welsh actor is a current fan-favourite for the role and certainly checks all the boxes for the next Bond actor. He’s from the UK, absolutely gorgeous in a suit and is capable of taking on advanced action sequences.
He was even highlighted by current James Bond star Ben Whishaw, who plays the technical mastermind Q in the series, as a good candidate for a gay 007. So he’s already got the stamp of approval from someone close to the series.
Billy Porter
Billy Porter attends the 73rd Emmy Awards on 19 September 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty/Rich Fury)
If we’re going to talk about an actor with the range to play bond, Billy Porter is a definite shoo-in.
Porter has built his substantial reputation on his impactful performances including Pose’s Prey Tell and Behold Chablis in American Horror Story: Apocalypse.
Plus, there could be nothing more magical than Porter bringing his signature style to the role and throwing away all the drab formal wear that James Bond has traditionally worn. Just think about the possibilities!
Indya Moore
Actor Indya Moore attends the 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/GC Images)
While we’re talking about Pose, Porter’s co-star Indya Moore would also be a fantastic choice for a queer James Bond.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the trailblazing actor was recently cast in the highly-anticipated Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom as longtime character Karson, who was originally a Green Lantern villain.
So you know that they could take that energy playing a DC baddie and channel it into a stunning spy that breaks all the rules.
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart attends the premiere of “Charlie’s Angels” on 11 November 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Stewart has everything to take on the Bond role. She is a phenomenal talent, looks stunning in a tailored suit and is no stranger to high-voltage stunt work.
Plus, she’s already been a super spy. Remember Charlie’s Angels?
Elizabeth Banks, who also starred in the film, said in a 2019 press call about Charlie’s Angels that Stewart was a “super badass in the movie” and “did so many of her own stunts” including fight training and stunt driving.
Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer attends the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards broadcast. (The 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards/Getty for GLAAD)
While we’re talking about people who look good in a suit, can we forget Bomer? The actor dominated screens as the suave thief Neal in USA’s series White Collar and was one-half a crime-solving duo.
Plus, he’s no stranger to playing serious roles having been featured in American Horror Story and Doom Patrol.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson attends the premiere of HBO’s “Westworld” on 5 March 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Don’t lie to yourself – Thompson would be perfect as James Bond. She’s come out with hit after hit appearing in Heroes, Creed, Men in Black: International and Westworld.
The queer actor also portrays the queer superhero Valkyrie in the Thor franchise and across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So she’s the perfect person to save any swooning damsel in distress or storm a villain’s secret lair with or without the aid of a winged horse.
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott sighting on set of Sherlock on 14 April 2013 in London, England. (Simon James/FilmMagic)
Fleabag’s “hot priest” Andrew Scott would be an interesting choice as a super spy. The Irish actor achieved widespread recognition for his role as Jim Moriarity in BBC’s Sherlock, for which he won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.
He was equal parts mesmerising and menacing as Sherlock Holmes’ dastardly foe. He already played an extraordinary Bond villain in Spectre. But he certainly has the range to take on 007, too. Just saying.
Seyan Sarvan
Seyan Sarvan. (Supplied)
Sarvan is no stranger to stealing the show from her male co-stars. The actor stunned viewers as Lizbeth Farooqi – a Muslim, queer, female lawyer – in It’s a Sin.
Her character took a no-nonsense approach in the show and refused to stand down to those who refused to listen to reason. And that’s the kind of energy that would make Sarvan a powerhouse 007.
