Damian Lewis has no regrets about not becoming James Bond

Damian Lewis has opened up about never being cast as James Bond, even though he was regularly linked with the role for years and years and years.

Recently, Lewis’ name hasn’t cropped up when rumours have started to circulate about who will replace Daniel Craig as 007. That’s because, at 49, Lewis is probably a little too old to portray the character now, something that he is more than happy to admit, because he doesn’t “want to play James Bond anymore.”

“If someone had asked me 10 years ago, that might have been a different matter,” Lewis told GQ. “But I don't have that sort of ambition now. I don't want to go traveling off around the world for eight months of the year and play one character for the next 10 years.”

“And I think I'd be the oldest new James Bond cast, maybe after Roger Moore. Or maybe even older than Roger Moore. So, you know, I don't think it's a problem. I don't think it's something I have to think about.”

But does Lewis regret not getting the chance to play Bond, considering that so many people believed he was so perfect for the part?

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“Well, I think it was quite exciting five years ago, maybe, when there was a bit of press and suddenly I was—along with, I think, one other actor—the ‘favourite’ to be James Bond. But that's not going to happen. That's gone. That's gone, without regret.”

Lewis can still be seen in Billions, the fifth season of will commence in the United States this weekend, and is expected to air in the UK at some point this month.