True confession: I never got into Poldark! I think I tried watching it a few times and I was like, “Ugh, this is boring.” I know that many, many women were (and are) into the star of Poldark, Aidan Turner though. He was shirtless in the show and there was a lot of sighing over his abs and shoulders and arms. So who is this hunk? He’s 32 years old. He’s Irish. He’s dark and brooding. He has a lovely, deep voice. And some people might also know him from the Agatha Christie miniseries adaptation And Then There Were None. He’s definitely up-and-coming, but he really hasn’t made the major leap to film stardom or anything. He’s more of local-crush, like Benedict Cumberbatch circa 2010. So it would be weird if the producers of the James Bond franchise were looking at Turner to take over the 007 role, right?
Ever since he bared his chest in BBC’s Poldark, Aidan Turner has been a strong contender to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. Now it has been reported that the Irish actor is already having talks with producers of the spy franchise.
‘Aidan has held preliminary talks with Bond producers and being in LA will give him a further chance to discuss the role,’ a source told The Sun.
His turn as Ross Poldark in the BBC period drama, as well as in the adaption of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, have certainly made him a favourite to take on the role of 007. Though he could face stiff competition from the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy and Idris Elba, who have all expressed interest.
IF Daniel Craig is truly done with it (which I think he is) and IF producers are already looking for a replacement, then I suspect the producers will be seeing a lot of actors. Aidan might get called in, maybe even Tom Hiddleston, maybe Tom Hardy, and more. Basically, any English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish actor between the ages of 30 and 50 will come in for a talk, at the very least. What are Aidan’s chances? Eh. He’s not a movie star yet and I can’t see how anyone could justify handing this enormous franchise to someone so untested. Daniel Craig wasn’t super-well-known when he became Bond, but he had been working in films consistently for years at that point. So… Poldark, License to Kill?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
He is a gorgeous man and I love Poldark.. But not for this role.
I agree…I have not seen Poldark yet but I know the Hobbit movies were not the best, but he was pretty good in the Hobbit films. He is a very good looking dude but I just don’t see him as Bond.
When Daniel Craig was announced, I remember thinking, I totally can see this guy as Bond.
I think you are right, just about every UK actor (English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh) ages 30-45 is going to be talking to producers about the role-so don’t be surprised to see more names popping up.
When Craig was announced it was the biggest tragedy for me. I never liked him as Bond. Plus he is just ungrateful. When doing press, he just sucks.
I think Turner would do great in the role. He is debonair, adventurous, and cold in his roles. All that is required in Bond. If my favorite didn’t get the role I would be okay with Turner getting it.
The best part is that Craig is gone. Yeah!!!!
Addison – +1!! Could not stand Craig as Bond and I haven’t bothered seeing the last one that he did.
I think Tom Hardy would make an amazing Bond but I don’t think he’d do it.
I adored him in the Hobbit movies!
I agree 100%. He has a really diverse and interesting body of work but I just don’t see Bond at all.
This was the same argument Bond fans used to protest daniel craig. And he was blond which was also a mark against him as far as the fans were concerned. It was quite a backlash against daniel craig.
I think “in talks” means something different from “talking with.” Unless he really is “in talks” for the role, he and his agents really got ahead of themselves here, in a way that could backfire on him. And yes, I suspect the producers are “talking” with everyone.
I doubt that the media actually knows who is genuinely “in talks” and who is not. I suspect that all the PR reps for these actors work hard with various publications to get them to talk about their clients as potential Bonds. It isn’t “news” so much as image enhancement.
All that said, he is a yum.
In talks to be Bond? No, please. In talks to be in the next movie in some role? Yes, please.
Well the leaking of “in talks” gets his name out there, it has worked before with other actors. One of the most recent examples was Jena Malone & her Hunger Games role basically confirming she was taking the role. The best one was Jessica Alba as Susan Storm in the Fantastic Four, she was not even their top contender but the news got out that she was going to be. It definitely helps the actor & even if they’re not considering him now they might depending on the feedback they get from the news.
He was so good in And Then There Were None. Everyone was.
I loved that series so much, even more so because there was an episode every night (good old Christmas programming!)
Maeve Dermody was a revelation as Vera; I’d never heard of her before ATTWN but she was fantastic.
Charles Dance, Toby Stephens, San Neill . . .
Highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet!
Loved it too. And the towel scene? Yum.
Yeah, I’d heard his name but hadn’t seen anything he was in. The towel scene was…eye-popping.
YES!! “And Then There Were None” was fabulous! One of my forever favorite stories, and so well done. loved it!
Agree about And Then There Were None. Loved it; I watched it over two nights earlier this week.
He was also in the hobbit. So he’s been in a movie franchise.
Yeah, he was super hot as Kili and one of the reasons I stuck with that craptastic franchise.
There’s also a rumor that Richard Armitage was up for the roll as well. He played Thorin in the movie.
I remember watching the original Poldark as a kid and my vague memories of it are that the star was fabulous. Couldn’t get into this reboot because Turner doesn’t have “it”, IMO, and I thought the elf-dwarf story line in The Hobbit was super lame, so I never cared for this guy as Kili either.
Now Armitage as Bond, hell yeah. He does dark, brooding and physical, but he can also do intense and passionate (if you haven’t watched him in North and South…. you missed a great show.)
But I think it is way premature to announce that anyone is “in talks”. As Abigail pointed out above, someone jumped the sharks. First of all, they haven’t even announced that Craig is definitely out. Second, once they do, hey will be talking to every guy possible. So I hope they give Armitage (who may be too old) and Matt Smith a shot. Either will be just fine for me.
The super-dreamy Richard Armitage would be way better as Bond IMO, but is he too old? If Idris is too old I think they might be looking exclusively for a younger Bond actor.
@vauvert
Couldn’t get into Poldark either. Just didn’t measure up, and even though he’s cute, he couldn’t keep me interested enough to continue watching it.
That’s where I recognise him! Kili!
The producers might be thinking of going the unknown actor or relatively unknown. When Daniel Craig was first announced many people, including myself were like ” who is that?” But he eventually made the part his own and became successful. Also making sure there are good screenplay and directing involved in the movie also helps.
He was Killi in the Hobbit franchise. He was also in the original BBC version of Being Human. Handsome man and good actor.
Yes, yes, yes Killi is wondeful.
But I bet they don’t pick him.
I can see the producers looking for someone unknown and younger to make a “how Bond became Bond” set of movies.
Oh Mitchell. Being Human was the best. I actually think he’s really growing as an actor. He was wonderful in ATTWN. I think he wouldn’t be a bad choice in about 3-5 years. I don’t know when they need to decide who the next Bond is.
Great in Being Human and ATTWN but Poldark does not do it for me at all. Weird. He has an amazing smile, tho. Great Irish accent.
Mitchell!! I was waiting for someone to mention Being Human. Man, those last two seasons were off the rails huh?
He’s not an internet boyfriend of mine but I think he’s got exactly the right back catalogue. Done theatre, film and TV. Done good work individually and been in cultish and/or iconic productions but not been identified with them to distracting levels. Fancied by women. I think he could be easily make a success of Bond, but he wouldn’t be a very interesting choice. Do they really want more of the same?
Sixer, the author of the linked article is proposing a different direction for Bond…one that might suit LEGS after all! I think it’s an intriguing perspective, and I’m hoping the ladies here will have a go at discussing it:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/grantfeller/2016/03/17/hiddleston-should-be-a-james-bond-for-our-times-having-a-midlife-crisis/#274495275a6a
I agree heartily with the basic premise that Bond as a franchise has become *exceedingly* tiresome and irrelevant. But would mid-life crisis Bond be something we’d actually want to sit and watch?
Not an interesting choice for me either Sixer, even if he could pull it off. That’s the dilemma with wanting to see our favorite actors getting high profile roles. If they have to mold and mimic themselves into played out, tired, multi-million Bond repeats then what’s the fun in that.
If people really want Bond to stay the same “type” that Craig has established – bit ruff around the edges, more physical/earthy and badass, then Idris seems the best choice more so than Tom Hardy cause Idris is more edgy than Craig but still more sophisticated than Hardy. Idris naturally embodies these qualities and wouldn’t have to make himself fit the role. He could have more freedom to just be himself being Bond and give it some flare. Just his physicality and being POC make him more interesting without him having to even open his mouth.
@platospopcorn
Just as I was saying above. If not a risk like Idris, then this franchise either needs a very long rest, or it needs to take a different direction and re-imagine the Bond archetype altogether. A Bond hero that’s not so impenetrably macho and steely but rather a hero with frailties that can show vulnerability and self doubt. Maybe it could be as easy as Bond having a mid-life crisis as the article suggests.
The main question is whether world wide audiences would still shell out 750m for this kind of Bond movie. It could be done with very, very good writing and direction, and as Feller says, Hiddleston could be a good fit for this type of character. If he nicks the Night Manager out of his system and approaches it fresh, then maybe.
I just feel like he’s trying too much to fit into the Bond mold when he would be more interesting playing to his strengths. Something like a human Loki spy type in an emotional crisis. Sounds familiar? I’d go for it.
George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton were not well known before they scored the Bond role. Brosnan really was not either. They don’t usually want an actor who is well known for lots of other things.
Pretty much every British/Irish/Scottish/English actor gets considered for Bond at some point
Was he ever on Downton Abbey? He looks like he woukd have been one of Mary’s boy callers.
I’d prefer it if they went with a black or Asian actor (not necessarily Idris, I think he’ll do better without the franchise) but if they have to go with a white guy I’m cool with Aidan. He’s hot, and talented too.
If they considered asian actors, i’d nominate Raza Jaffery who looks much younger than his 41yrs.
Mitchell!!! He’s forever the Vampire from Being Human to me. I love him. I don’t know that he’s right for Bond. I think he’s sexy, but not that overly polished suave/debonair type.
Me too!!! That whole cast- the first 3 seasons- of Being Human was just the best. Going with Aiden as JB would certainly be a throw-back to Sean Connery-levels of chest hair!! Lol!
No. Just no. Sorry.
I’m not feeling him as Bond either. I do like Aidan Turner. I’m really feeling Idris Elba as Bond. I’d watch him as Bond. I don’t think I’d watch Turner as Bond. Sorry if that offends anyone.
I’m fine with them casting someone not terribly well known, but I’m still rooting for Idris, no matter what.
“In talks” usually doesn’t mean anything beyond someone’s agent or publicist is trying to get them some attention though.
I am rooting for Idris too! I think Idris would be fantastic in the role of Bond.
Agree about Idris. Even though I do like Aidan Turner, I’d vote for Idris any day of the week.
He’s always going to be Mitchell to me. The End. I’m not sure if I want Bond for him. I tried tuning into Poldark but I couldn’t get into it. Same for Wolf Hall… Masterpiece Theater is really hit or miss for me lately.
Other than for the money, I can’t imagine why an actor would want to play such an idiot, dysfunctional man like Bond. Aidan could do it as could any competent actor.
Do they need a reason more than the money? The money is incredible (way better than superhero money as nobody post-RDJ and Bale are getting the insane dollars).
Craig may complain but he could now do off-Broadway the rest of his life and still live in luxury. A young actor would be crazy not to take it.
The fame would be amazing too and considering he is not a very good actor anyway this would be gold for him.
Bond or no, can we have more Aidan Turner, please? He is very pretty.
I support this!
Yes please more of Aidan. Absolutely loved him in Being Human and as Kili.
He has great eyebrows. I like a man with great eyebrows.
I watched Poldark; I liked it. It’s campy but I’m a sucker for period dramas. He’s a decent actor and has that “dark shadow within me” expression so I could understand why he’d be interesting to producers though that idea never crossed my mind. But then again I never liked Bond. Only watched it for scenography and costumes.
I’ve had a huge crush on him since “Being Human”, but I’m not down with this.
I didn’t watch the show so i can’t speak on him as an actor.He looks like he is really small? Is he?
Nah he is 6ft about
Come on now. Cast a POC.
He’s so hot on poldark! Don’t like his hair cut short, he needs to always have it long and all over the place.
I absolutely see him as having Bond potential since “Then There Were None”.
I think it likely the age range will be narrower – 30-40. I reckon they want to plump for a mid-30 who can appear mature and seasoned but bring with them a younger audience, less creep-factor with younger Bond women but plausibility to play to (and with) 40’s women range too.
Also I think they are going to look for potential for franchise longevity and an actor young enough to mature this Bond over the course of several films. This rules out many of the previous front runners who have aged out of contention for a first outing.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see momentum for Aiden Turner grow, also too James Norton.
And TV often seems a more likely recruiting ground than big established movie base these days. Transitioning a newer TV breakout with a growing loyal fan base is easier for a newly incarnated role such as Bond than trying to mould someone more established in film roles; particularly key highly recognisable past other franchise roles.
I second Being Human. He was gorgeous in that- and had some really funny moments too.
The Real Hustle has started on BBC3!
he’s nice to look at, but he’s an awful actor.
He’s not got huge range but he’s good at what he does. Don’t know if he knows his limits or we just haven’t seen him in enough parts to know what he can do.
Since when has being Bond required a good actor> They just need someone who can smirk like a douche and be white apparently
He looks scrawny in that last pic.
I’ve never seen a single Bond movie, so I have no opinion on this except that Aidan Turner is a perfect human being.
I, too, could not get into this round of Poldark. I had watched the original series somewhat recently on Netflix and found it somewhat enjoyable but when I watched the new series I found it to be boring. I am going to try watching the newer series once more, just to catch scenes of Cornwall as I am going there in June!
No thanks.
Holy crap, I was just saying this to one of my friends after seeing him on TV. Oh, I think he could do it. He’s a mix of Brosnan and Connery in a way.
I don’t see it although I like him well enough. His voice is fantastic.
Well I’d certainly start watching Bond again for Mitchell!
Given the wide range of names rumored, I’m surprised none of the Game of Thrones men have come up. Richard Madden and Kit Harrington would be at the younger end of the age range. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s name probably hasn’t come up because he’s Danish, but he has the right look for Bond. I would be all for Aiden Gillan as a villain using his natural accent.
As a long time Bond girl (couldn’t resist) I don’t see it. He looks too small – like Hiddledton. Bond needs to be a man. Not boyish.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aiden+turner+towel+then+there+were+none&client=ms-android-orange-gb&source=lnms&prmd=inv&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj67WVp8jLAhUDRhQKHXMzCycQ_AUIBygB&biw=360&bih=511&dpr=4#imgrc=3IO5HBwsgEv4-M%3A
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aiden+turner+towel+then+there+were+none&client=ms-android-orange-gb&source=lnms&prmd=inv&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj67WVp8jLAhUDRhQKHXMzCycQ_AUIBygB&biw=360&bih=511&dpr=4#imgrc=81CJuImME1_hOM%3A
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=aiden+turner+towel+then+there+were+none&client=ms-android-orange-gb&source=lnms&prmd=inv&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj67WVp8jLAhUDRhQKHXMzCycQ_AUIBygB&biw=360&bih=511&dpr=4#imgrc=R6MzZuCbJiizdM%3A
I can see Bond.
He sort of looks like Connery, so bond w ould be going back to its original iconic actor prototype!
James Bond? Big fat NOPE!
I wish, but it’ll never happen.
Anyway, he’s too good for that wretched series, though he could only improve it, he can be super seductive, charming and brooding, I think he’d make a wonderful Bond.
And yes please, more Aidan!!
I agree, he could only help to better a failing franchise. But, really, I would watch him in anything *sigh*
Yup, more Aidan please!!
He was also in a mostly forgotten but fun series very loosely based on the Pre-Raphaelites where he played Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Oh My GOD. Too good. And of course he was Mitchell the sexy vampire in Being Human. He’s been my favourite for ages.
More Aidan please!
I think it was frisbee who posted links to him and David Tennant reading romantic poetry. I will be forever grateful to her for that.
I LOVED him as Dante. He just made me weak watching him in that series.
I think Aidan Turner would make an excellent Bond. However, I do think it’s time they chose a POC. Besides I’d love to see Aidan in more projects than just Bond. He’d been tied up with Hobbit and now it’s Poldark (I’m not complaining…I LOVE Poldark). I’d like to see him in more varied roles though. So far he’s been excellent in everything he’s been in.
Maybe I need to see him in action beyond the barely watchable Hobbit because right now I don’t see it at all.
Loved Him in “Being Human” too!
Heeeyyy I was wondering what happened to him. Loved him on BBC America’s “Being Human”.
(I fell asleep on his lord of the rings – tee hee)
I love him! And I don’t agree with the poster above who called him a bad actor. I think he is terrific!
But how about Aneurin Barnard as Bond? He is so sexy mmmm. Really good actor too.
Idris. Period.