The highly anticipated search for the next James Bond, following Daniel Craig's departure from the iconic 007 role in 2021's 'No Time To Die', continues to fuel intense speculation. Amidst a long list of household names, British actor Mike Dickman has emerged as a surprise front-runner, a prospect he admits is "crazy flattering." The 40-year-old rising star is rapidly building an impressive acting portfolio, transitioning from a high-flying corporate career in the sports industry to pursue his passion.

Dickman finds himself mentioned in the same breath as established actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy, and Henry Cavill, who have all been linked to the coveted spy role. With Amazon's acquisition of the 007 franchise, the discussion expanded to include American stars such as Patrick Schwarzenegger, Timothée Chalamet, and Jacob Elordi. However, not all actors are keen to step into Bond's famous tuxedo. 'Top Gun 2' star Glen Powell, for instance, has firmly ruled himself out, stating, "I'm a Texan... Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo." Similarly, 'The White Lotus' star Theo James has expressed reservations about being typecast, noting that taking on the role would be "terrifying: if you do that, there’s no going back." Historically, all seven actors who have portrayed Bond in the official film series—Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig—have been white men from the UK or Ireland, though debates have arisen regarding deviating from tradition, with names like Gillian Anderson for a female Bond and Idris Elba for the first Black spy often discussed. The latest favourite to emerge for the role is relative unknown James Nelson-Joyce, known for his roles in 'Little Boy Blue' and 'This City is Ours'.

While the future of the James Bond franchise is a "rebirth of an incredible franchise," as Dickman puts it, his own star is undeniably on the rise independently of the 007 casting. In just a few short years, he has already secured a cameo role in the blockbuster film 'Barbie' and a significant supporting role as Robert in the psychological thriller 'Secrets', set for release on Amazon on August 19. In 'Secrets', Dickman's character attempts to be a supportive figure for Sammy, played by former Sky Sports presenter Charlotte Jackson Colman, as she navigates mysterious events following her mother's passing. He praises director Chris Norton for his enthusiastic and nuanced storytelling, recalling a challenging night shoot in sub-zero temperatures where Norton's commitment was unwavering.

Furthermore, Dickman is set to feature prominently in the upcoming series 'Gandhi', which holds the distinction of being the first Indian series to premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. In 'Gandhi', he takes on the role of racist Captain Harry Sparks, who attempts to hinder Mahatma Gandhi's early efforts in South Africa. Producers were particularly impressed by his ability to master the Akrikaans accent for the part. Dickman holds great respect for his co-stars, including Pratik Gandhi, who portrays the titular character, describing him as "absolutely fantastic" with a "real presence." Dickman also recognizes the unpredictable nature of the industry, acknowledging that roles can evolve during the editing process. Currently, he is also immersed in an adaptation of William Corlett's novel, 'Now and Then' by Matt Western, a relationship-driven coming-of-age drama he believes will resonate as a quintessential British drama. This diverse and growing body of work signals that Mike Dickman will likely remain a prominent figure on screen for years to come, regardless of the Bond casting decision, and he is in a relationship with Heather Mills.