Richard Madden ‘to be offered’ James Bond role (PIcture: Getty/BBC)

Bodyguard had the nation gripped as Richard Madden played Sergeant David Budd, who was tasked with protecting the home secretary, but was caught up in a terrorist plot that saw him lose his charge in a bomb explosion.

The drama was tense and saw him earn praise for his performance as the officer hellbent on finding the culprits while battling against both the terrorist organisation and those close to him who thought he was suffering mental health issues.

It’s now been claimed the role has caught the eye of James Bond boss Barbara Broccoli, who may well be getting ready to offer him the most coveted role on the silver screen.



A source told The Sun: ‘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.’

Daniel Craig will be stepping down from the role (Picture: AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

If he does get it it would mean he’s beaten the likes of Idris Elba, who’s been in the frame for yonks to take over from Daniel Craig, as well as the likes of Tom Hardy, James Norton, Aidan Turner, Cillian Murphy, and even Emily Blunt.

The movie has recently suffered setbacks after director Danny Boyle stepped down from leading the project after he and Barbara were hit with creative differences, with it being claimed there were plans to kill the spy off. He later explained it was because he’s too much of a fan of the franchise to go along with her vision for the continuation of the movies.

He told Radio Times: ‘The books were everything to me when I was a kid. I read them multiple times. ‘Like everyone else, I saw the films, but I’d already read the books so I had a different relationship with the characters.

‘Although I think it’d be impossible for a Bond aficionado to write or direct a Bond film.

‘You’d be hampered by how much you knew. They want you to bring a freshness to it.’

It’s since been announced he’s been replaced by Cary Fukunaga. It’s also thought that production has been pushed back, meaning the film won’t be ready for its autumn 2019 release.

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