A claim that Bella Ramsey has screen-tested to become the next James Bond is satire, not a genuine casting announcement. The story, which imagines the star of The Last of Us and Game of Thrones taking over from Daniel Craig as a non-binary 007, explicitly identifies itself as a joke.
There is no verified evidence linking Ramsey to an audition for the role. But the joke comes at a particularly busy moment for the Bond franchise, with the search for Daniel Craig's successor reportedly reaching its final stages and several prominent actors emerging as contenders.
Who has actually auditioned for James Bond?
On 9 November 2026, Variety reported that Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult had screen-tested for the next 007 film, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
The two actors joined an increasingly competitive field of reported candidates, including Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor. Variety also reported that Harry Styles had held discussions about the role, while Theo James had not been ruled out.
These developments represent a significant distinction from the Bella Ramsey joke: the reported auditions are based on information gathered by established film-industry journalists, although Amazon MGM Studios has not publicly confirmed the individual candidates.
Nor does participating in a screen test mean an actor has secured the part. As of 11 November 2026, no successor to Daniel Craig has been officially announced.
What Amazon MGM has confirmed about the next 007 film
In a statement published on 14 May 2026, Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that the search for the next James Bond was underway but made clear that it would not discuss specific candidates during the casting process.
Several important details about the upcoming film are established. Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing.
The project will also mark a major transition for the franchise. In February 2025, Amazon MGM announced an agreement that placed creative control of future Bond productions under a new joint venture, changing the longstanding arrangement with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
The next film will be the first new theatrical Bond adventure since 2021's No Time to Die, which concluded Craig's five-film run as the British secret agent.
Despite reports suggesting that a casting announcement could arrive before the end of 2026, Amazon MGM has not confirmed a date for revealing the new Bond. The film also remains without an officially announced title or release date.
For now, Ramsey's supposed audition belongs firmly in the category of comedy. The real casting process, meanwhile, continues without an officially confirmed winner.
