Surprising Heartstopper star ‘favourite’ to be new James Bond ahead of screen tests
Jack Barton played Nick’s older brother in Heartstopper (Image: Netflix)
Jack Barton, who played David Nelson in Heartstopper, has reportedly emerged as a surprise contender to become the next James Bond, with screen tests said to be just days away.
Page Six reports that Barton is among the names being considered as filmmakers prepare to screen test potential 007s.
Barton is known to many viewers for appearing in five episodes of Heartstopper, as well as finale movie Heartstopper Forever, as David, the homophobic older brother of Kit Connor’s character Nick.
He has also had a lead role in TV drama SAS: Rogue Heroes, and has appeared in Emma Stone movie Poor Things as well as Netflix series The Letter for the King.
Who will be the next James Bond?
The next film will be the 26th Bond movie, with Denis Villeneuve set to direct. It will be the first 007 movie under Amazon MGM Studios.
Amazon said in a statement in May: “The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right.”
Barton is relatively unknown compared to the other A-list actors tipped to be in the running.
They include Dua Lipa’s husband Callum Turner, Euphoria star Jacob Elordi, Irish actor Paul Mescal, Babygirl star Harris Dickinson, and Scottish War & Peace actor Jack Lowden.
Why Barton is being linked to 007
Barton’s name has been floated as the conversation turns again to the idea of a less familiar Bond.
In June, former Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams told The Independent: “It is absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma,” arguing audiences should know “as little about them personally as possible”.
In a Gentleman’s Journal interview, Barton said: “I’m quite interested in characters who have some level of torment or some conflict within them.” Asked for his dream role, he added: “I mean I’d love to play Macbeth. That’s a sort of w**** answer, but I would. I’ve always wanted to play Macbeth. Again, going to this place of conflicted, slightly tortured characters who are a bit dark.”
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