Ever since Daniel Craig emerged from the sea looking buff and dripping wet in those iconic blue trunks in Casino Royale, we’ve been gripped by his portrayal of secret service agent James Bond. But after five turns as 007, he has finally confirmed that next year’s film No Time To Die will definitely be his last.
Now that Craig has decided to hang up his licence to kill, who will be next to carry the mantle? The internet rumour mill has been in overdrive for some time suggesting potential replacements. Luther star Idris Elba, Poldark’s Aidan Turner, Little Women's James Norton and Taboo's Tom Hardy have all been tipped as likely new Bonds.
But our favourite suggestion by far is Richard Madden. After his epic portrayal of protection officer David Budd in BBC’s Bodyguard in 2018, we think he’s the perfect fit. Steely gaze? Check. Handy with a weapon? Check. Sharp suits concealing a ripped physique? Check, check, check.
While there’s been no official confirmation yet on whether Madden will in fact be ordering his Vesper Martini shaken not stirred, we thought this would be a good time to look back on some of the roles he has played so far, to see whether he has what it takes to be the next Bond.
The name’s Madden. Richard Madden…
David Budd in Bodyguard (2018)
Is anyone else still obsessed with Jed Mercurio’s edge-of-your-seat drama from 2018? Oh good, so it’s not just us then. Madden plays police sergeant David Budd, who’s assigned as personal bodyguard to Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but we guarantee you’ll be glued to your screen. We’re still waiting to hear if there’s a second series, but for now you can binge the first season.
Robb Stark in Game of Thrones (from 2011)
It wouldn’t be a Richard Madden round-up without Game Of Thrones, obviously. Probably the best example of prestige TV there is, GoT has politics, dynasties, intrigue, back-stabbing, dragons and a growing body count as the eight seasons progress. But it’s Madden as Robb Stark who is the moral compass of the show. We wouldn’t want to ruin anything for those who haven’t seen it (and if you haven’t, where have you been for the last decade?), but six years after it first aired, we still cannot stop thinking about The. Red. Wedding.
Leo West in Ibiza (2018)
A little bit like a female-led version of The Inbetweeners Movie, Netflix’s Ibiza sees three friends head to Barcelona for a much-needed girls’ holiday. While at a nightclub there, Harper (Gillian Jacobs) meets and falls for superstar DJ Leo West (Madden) and follows him to Ibiza. Well, when he looks that good you would, wouldn’t you? Think of this as a lazy-Sunday-afternoon-on-the-sofa kind of film.
John Reid in Rocketman (2019)
Who doesn’t love a biopic? In last year’s musical masterpiece Rocketman, Madden plays Elton John’s manager-slash-lover John Reid alongside Taron Egerton as the pop legend. There’s wigs, platform shoes and a bit of nudity, if you like that kind of thing. Oh and he sings, too.
Kirk Brandon in Worried About The Boy (2010)
What do the 80s mean to you? Fun retro theme for a fancy dress party? Or memories of your actual real life childhood? Whether you’re old enough to genuinely remember Culture Club, the New Romantics and the Blitz Kids, or you’re simply interested in the era, this one-off BBC film about the life of Boy George is must-see viewing. Douglas Booth and his cheekbones are almost unrecognisable as the androgynous singing icon, while Madden appears as fellow 80s star Kirk Brandon. Worth watching for his platinum blonde hair alone.
The Prince in Cinderella (2015)
Richard Madden playing the dashing prince in a live action version of Cinderella opposite Lily James in a sweeping blue gown and glass slippers? If there’s ever been a more enchanting film, we can’t think of it.
Captain Weir in Birdsong (2012)
Eddie Redmayne and Clémence Poésy play the main love interests in this 2012 two-part adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’s First World War novel Birdsong, but it was Madden as Captain Weir that we were most interested in. And not just because of the moustache.
Michael Mason in The Take (2016)
Starring not one rumoured Bond replacement but two, The Take is a Paris-based action thriller with Madden as US pickpocket Michael Mason who finds himself getting captured by CIA agent Sean Briar (played by Idris Elba); drama ensues. It’s a pretty solid caper, to be fair.
Cosimo in Medici (2016)
If you like your maybe-historically-accurate-maybe-not kind of sprawling epic dramas – we’re thinkingRome, Spartacus and The Tudors – then this one about the wealthy Medici family’s rise to power in 15th century Italy will be right up your strada. Madden plays Cosimo de Medici who has been elected as head of the family following his father’s death. The Medieval romp has some other big names too, including Sean Bean, Brian Cox, Dustin Hoffman and Sarah Parish.
Ashley Greenwick in Sirens (2011)
It’s always a bit of a shame when a good TV show gets cancelled after just one series, but then it does also mean it’s in no danger of going off the boil. And Sirens was one of those one-off largely unknown gems. Based on the book Blood, Sweat & Tea, it follows the lives and loves of three blokeish paramedics (hence the title – not to be confused with the 1994 Hugh Grant film). As well as Madden, it starts Rhys Thomas and Kayvan Novak and was, shall we say, a bit risqué? Though very funny too.
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