Yahoo Movies 'Bridgerton' breakout Regé-Jean Page enters race for James Bond role as bookies slash odds
More than 60 million people watched Netflix drama Bridgerton over the Christmas period — and many of them believe leading man Regé-Jean Page could be the next James Bond.
The period romance’s rising star has seen his odds slashed by Ladbrokes, with Variety reporting that Page is now just 5/1 to replace Daniel Craig.
Read more: 15 actors who could be the next James Bond
Before Christmas, he was an outsider at 40/1, but the high-profile of Bridgerton has sent his star soaring.
Despite his increase in popularity, the 31-year-old actor is still behind favourites Tom Hardy, James Norton and perennial choice Idris Elba in the Bond race
Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati told Variety that it’s not uncommon for actors to leap up the Bond ladder after a highly-rated TV show.
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, Bodyguard lead Richard Madden and Normal People’s Paul Mescal all experienced similar bumps.
Apati said: “What strengthens RJP’s chances somewhat more is that an announcement feels seemingly imminent [around] Daniel Craig’s replacement, so the timing of Bridgerton’s success may well have worked in his favour.”
Read more: John Boyega says he could bring “something different” to Bond
Page himself stoked the fires of speculation back in December, tweeting the words “shaken and stirred” alongside a video of him as the Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton.
Regency, royalty
Shaken and stirred.#Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/cSwnSpLQCy— Regé-Jean Page (@regejean) December 16, 2020
Daniel Craig has announced that he will be stepping away from the James Bond role after the upcoming No Time to Die — 15 years after he first played the character in Casino Royale.
The new film finds a retired Bond drawn back into the world of espionage by Rami Malek’s mysterious villain.
It was originally due to be released in the spring of 2020 after a chaotic and lengthy path to the screen, but the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be delayed twice.
No Time to Die is currently scheduled to be released in UK cinemas on 2 April.
Watch: Trailer for James Bond adventure No Time to Die
