Credit: Inside the MagicJames Bond has been played by some of the most famous actors in British cinema history. But 007 has never been limited exclusively to the six actors most casual moviegoers immediately associate with the role.
Before the Eon Productions era established the familiar cinematic timeline, Barry Nelson played Bond in a 1954 television adaptation of Casino Royale, and David Niven later took the role in the unofficial Casino Royale (1967).
Since then, Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig have all taken over the cinematic 007 mantle, while Patrick Gibson most recently brought a younger version of Bond to 007 First Light (2026).
So, who really is the best? Here are all nine Bond actors ranked from worst to best — with the upcoming new 007 saved for last.
Related: Confirmed: Next James Bond Officially Revealed, New 007 Actor Breaks Silence on Landing Iconic Role
9. Barry Nelson
Barry Nelson’s Bond is historically important but barely resembles the version of 007 audiences would eventually know. His appearance came in the 1954 television adaptation Casino Royale, based on the 1953 novel of the same name by Bond creator Ian Fleming, making Nelson the first actor to portray Bond on screen.
8. David Niven
David Niven’s only appearance as Bond came in Casino Royale (1967), the famously chaotic spoof. Niven was perfectly capable of playing suave, but this version of Bond was never intended to be taken seriously, hence his position on this list.
7. George Lazenby
George Lazenby was a strange casting choice for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), particularly as his only movie as Bond. He’s hardly disastrous, though, and the film itself has aged into one of the franchise’s most respected entries.
6. Patrick Gibson
Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin) is the newest Bond, playing a younger version of the character in 007 First Light (2026). He’s a solid Bond, but the IO Interactive game itself doesn’t quite give him material worthy of the character’s legacy.
5. Sean Connery
Sean Connery remains one of the most iconic Bonds ever, appearing in Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and the non-Eon-produced film Never Say Never Again (1983).
He defined the template of 007 in film, but at the same time, we think he’s slightly overrated.
4. Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton is an excellent actor who simply arrived at an awkward point in the franchise. His Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989) was darker, angrier, and more grounded — arguably ahead of his time, but very different from the traditional 007.
3. Roger Moore
Roger Moore is the embodiment of old-school Bond. His seven appearances — Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), and A View to a Kill (1985) — are packed with charm, gadgets, ridiculous villains, outrageous stunts, and exactly the kind of cheesy sophistication audiences love. This era of Bond went on to inspire the Austin Powers films.
2. Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan was suave, debonair, sophisticated, and suitably cold as 007. Throughout GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002), he arguably provided the perfect bridge between classic and modern Bond.
1. Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig is the definitive Bond. His five-film run — Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021) — gave audiences a 007 who could be traditional, brutal, vulnerable, funny, romantic, and genuinely complex.
Craig became the first Bond to ever be killed on screen, as seen in No Time to Die, leaving Amazon MGM Studios to start anew with a different actor and yet another new Bond continuity.
Who’s the Next James Bond?
Now, of course, comes the biggest question. Amazon MGM is preparing its Bond movie, with Denis Villeneuve (the Dune films) directing, Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) writing, and Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) and David Heyman (the Harry Potter films) producing.
Daniel Craig’s successor has reportedly already been selected, although Amazon MGM has yet to officially announce the actor.
Gary Oldman has fueled speculation around his Slow Horses (2022–present) co-star Jack Lowden, while other names including Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights), Jack Barton (Heartstopper), and Callum Turner (Eternity) have also been linked to the role.
Whoever gets the role has a truly enormous legacy to follow.
Meanwhile, another new James Bond has already been cast, with Isaac Rouse (The Crown Season 6) playing a teenage version of the character in the upcoming audio drama series Young Bond: SilverFin, which is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by author Charlie Higson.
Who’s your favorite James Bond actor, and who do you think should become the next 007? Let us know!
