Warning: Spoilers
As Sergeant David Budd in BBC’s Bodyguard, Richard Madden showed he could defend Queen and country while looking decidedly dapper in a suit.
Here we saw a new, slicker side to Madden; a far cry from his Game of Thrones role which brought him fame, the fatally naïve Robb Stark.
In Bodyguard, we saw Madden perfectly at ease playing a troubled yet ultimately honourable character; quick thinking but secretive, patriotic but conflicted.
As the nation watched Madden/Budd talk down terrorists on a train and woo sharp suited Home Secretaries, our thoughts turned to one collective and inevitable conclusion: Were we looking at our next James Bond?
As one Bond bows out, another rises to take his place. At the age of 50, Daniel Craig is preparing to put aside his martini glass for pastures new, and fans are itching to know who will fill his classic brogues.
According to a report by The Mail on Sunday, Bond producers are gearing up to approach Madden for the role of 007.
An industry source advised The Mail on Sunday how executive producer Barbara Broccoli is likely to approach Madden about the iconic role within the coming few days:
It’s seriously looking like he [Madden] is going to get the job. Not only is he on top of Barbara’s list, but she is preparing to offer the role.
Fans have been overcome with excitement at the thought of Madden speeding around exotic destinations in an Aston Martin; swapping that stern Scottish accent for Bond’s crisp RP dialect.
One fan swooned:
This news is better than finding out I was graduating from university.
The news has even won over Bond virgins, with one newbie promising:
I have never watched any James Bond films but reckon if he gets the part I will start. He was amazing in Bodyguard.
However, others were left fuming at the suggestion, sharing their own personal preferences of a dream Bond. Some even felt Madden looked too young to play the imposing, worldly character of 007.
One person moaned:
What the hell is wrong with Hollywood casting? This guy was semi-decent in #Bodyguard but – let’s be honest – woefully unconvincing in the action scenes.
And yet suddenly we’re stuck with a 007 who looks like an undersized 16 year old.
Another groaned:
My problem when Pierce Brosnan was Bond was that he looked like he’d never had a fight; a problem for an inherently violent character.
But even Brosnan looks like he’d smash the tiny Richard Madden to bits.
What a massive step down from Daniel Craig.
Madden is indeed a fair bit younger than his predecessor. However let’s not forget how fellow Scottish actor Sean Connery wielded 007’s Walther PPK at a similarly youthful age, going on to become one of the most beloved Bonds of all time.
I have a feeling Madden would be similarly superb.
Bond 25, Craig’s final outing as 007, will hit UK cinemas as of February 14, 2020.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.