James Bond Actors in Order: Complete List of Every 007

Few on-screen roles come with the kind of cultural weight that comes with playing James Bond. Whether you grew up with Roger Moore’s raised eyebrow or Daniel Craig’s bruised knuckles, the man behind the tuxedo matters.

Total official Bond actors: 7 ·
Longest-serving (by films): Roger Moore (12 films) ·
First actor: Sean Connery (1962) ·
Most recent actor: Daniel Craig (2006–2021) ·
Next actor status: TBA

Who Plays James Bond in Order?

The Complete List of Official Bond Actors

Six actors have carried the 007 designation across Eon Productions’ official film series, from Sean Connery’s debut in Dr. No (1962) to Daniel Craig’s exit in No Time to Die (2021). The seventh slot remains empty as of 2025.

• Sean Connery (1962–1967, 1971, 1983) – 7 official Eon films plus one non-Eon appearance. First film: Dr. No (James Bond 007 official site (franchise owner)).
• George Lazenby (1969) – Single film: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (James Bond 007 official site).
• Roger Moore (1973–1985) – 12 films, from Live and Let Die to A View to a Kill (James Bond 007 official site).
• Timothy Dalton (1987–1989) – 2 films: The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill (James Bond 007 official site).
• Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002) – 4 films, beginning with GoldenEye (James Bond 007 official site).
• Daniel Craig (2006–2021) – 5 films, from Casino Royale to No Time to Die (Britannica (encyclopaedia)).

Counting the full canon, the official film list totals 25 Eon-produced movies. Non-Eon portrayals — such as David Niven in the 1967 parody Casino Royale and Barry Nelson in a 1954 TV adaptation — add two more actors to the broader Bond filmography, though they sit outside the official continuity (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Who Is the Next 007 Actor?

Potential Candidates for the Next James Bond

Since Daniel Craig’s departure after No Time to Die (2021), the question of his successor has dominated fan speculation. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have said they are “not going to announce anything until we’re ready” (Vanity Fair (culture magazine)).

• Rumored candidates have included Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Regé-Jean Page, and, as of late 2025, Callum Turner (Euronews (news wire)).
• A September 2025 New York Post (news outlet) report indicated casting had not yet begun and would wait until director Denis Villeneuve finished Dune: Part Three. The same report described the target candidate as an unknown British male actor in his late 20s to early 30s.
• In May 2026, Amazon MGM Studios stated the search was underway (USA Today (national newspaper)).

When Will the Next Bond Be Announced?

No formal announcement is expected before 2026, and the next film is unlikely before 2027. The production team has historically taken two to four years between actors’ final films and the next casting reveal.

Who Refused to Play James Bond?

Actors Who Turned Down the Role

Several high-profile actors have publicly stated they declined the chance to be 007. Their reasons range from typecasting fears to scheduling conflicts.

• Hugh Jackman – Declined due to his commitment to Wolverine (The Guardian (British newspaper)).
• Liam Neeson – Reportedly turned down the role after his wife’s death; he later said he felt the part wasn’t right for him (Daily Express (UK tabloid)).
• Clive Owen – Indicated he was never formally offered the part but expressed disinterest in the franchise’s scale (GQ (men’s style magazine)).
• Henry Cavill – Has said he wasn’t offered the role but would be interested; he was considered for Casino Royale but lost to Craig (GQ (men’s style magazine)).

Many refusals come with caveats. Some actors say they were never officially offered the part, while others changed their minds later.

Who Is the Longest Running 007 Actor?

Roger Moore’s Record

Roger Moore starred in 12 Bond films between 1973 and 1985, the most of any actor by a wide margin (James Bond 007 official site (franchise owner)). His tenure spanned 12 years.

The table below compares every official Eon actor’s film count and active years.

Six actors, one pattern: the number of films per actor has decreased over time, even as each film’s budget ballooned.

What this means: Moore’s longevity is an outlier — the average Bond actor now appears in 3–5 films.

How Many Actors Have Played James Bond?

Official vs Unofficial Portrayals

Counting only Eon Productions’ official series, the answer is six actors — seven if you include the next actor still unknown. But the number grows when you widen the lens to non-Eon media.

• Eon Productions (official): Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig — 6 actors across 25 films (James Bond 007 official site (franchise owner)).
• Non-Eon film portrayals: Barry Nelson (1954 TV adaptation) and David Niven (1967 satire) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• Other media: Pierce Brosnan voiced Bond in the GoldenEye 007 video game. Several actors have portrayed Bond in radio dramas and stage productions.

The implication: The core canon will always be the Eon films, but the character’s reach extends across mediums and decades.

Timeline of Bond Actors

The franchise’s casting decisions have followed a rhythm: a new actor every 5–12 years, with gaps between tenures.

• 1962–1967 – Sean Connery (first five films)
• 1969 – George Lazenby (one film)
• 1973–1985 – Roger Moore (12 films)
• 1987–1989 – Timothy Dalton (2 films)
• 1995–2002 – Pierce Brosnan (4 films)
• 2006–2021 – Daniel Craig (5 films)
• 2025–present – Search for the next Bond underway (USA Today (national newspaper))

Confirmed Facts vs What’s Unclear

“We’re not going to announce anything until we’re ready.”

— Barbara Broccoli, producer, as quoted in Vanity Fair (culture magazine)

“I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists.”

— Daniel Craig, on returning as Bond (2015 interview, GQ (men’s style magazine))

“I wasn’t offered Bond — I think my name came up, but it never got to a meeting.”

— Hugh Jackman, quoted in The Guardian (British newspaper)

The quotations above capture the tone of three key stakeholders: the producer holding the cards, the outgoing star relieved to pass the torch, and the actor who famously sidestepped the role.

Summary

The James Bond actor lineage tells a story of reinvention: each new actor brought a distinct era, from Connery’s cool to Moore’s wink to Craig’s grit. The next casting will be the most consequential since 2005, when Daniel Craig was chosen. For the franchise audience, the choice is clear: either a bold new direction with a fresh face, or a safe pair of hands that honours tradition. Craig’s successor faces comparisons to every actor before them.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau: The Actor Behind Jaime Lannister and His Life Beyond Westeros
• Matt Smith: Relationships, Career, Health & What’s Next