I’d love to play James Bond says The Tower’s Jimmy Akingbola after Hollywood star reveals dreams of playing 007 villain
THE Tower’s Jimmy Akingbola has revealed he would love to play the next James Bond.
Fan favourite Jimmy is best known for his starring roles in Holby City, Bel-Air and for playing DC Steve Bradshaw in ITV’s The Tower.
Now Jimmy has thrown his name into the mix for another role, that of tuxedo wearing secret agent, James Bond.
He joins the likes of Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, The Witcher lead Henry Cavill, Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page and James Norton from Happy Valley, who have all been linked to the 007 role since Daniel Craig stepped down.
Despite being in high demand both in the UK and across the pond, Jimmy made time in his busy schedule to film a fifth series of black history quiz, Sorry, I Didn’t Know That, which is somewhat of a passion project for him.
However, in the opening episode, he does use it as a tongue-in-cheek audition for James Bond, sipping from a Martini glass and uttering the words: “Shaken, not stirred”.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun’s TV Mag, Jimmy said: “A tiny part of me is serious… a part of me is serious.
“I think because I’m playing Geoffrey on Bel-Air, people on social media are saying: ‘You should play James Bond’.
“I haven’t seen my name in the conversation yet, but I would definitely put my hat in the ring.”
He added with a laugh; “Tell Barbara Broccoli (the Bond franchise producer) to call me!”
The skit is just one of many amusing moments littered throughout the show that’s also packed with facts and figures about black trailblazers and their legacies.
“We call it edutainment – education and entertainment,” explains Jimmy, 46.
“The vision was always for it to be a show just like Have I’ve Got News For You and QI, outside of Black History Month.
“I love that all ages, all races and all demographics are watching it and commenting on it.
“Sometimes if I bump into comedians now, I try to run away. ‘When are you getting us on the show?’ is always the question because people see how clever it is and how important it is, and they want to be on it.
“I would love Stephen Fry to be on the show, he’s an idol of mine.
Timeline of James Bond actors
Over the years there have been seven actors who have played 007.
The first ever James Bond film was in 1962, and this is who has played the lead role over the years:
- Sean Connery – The late star was the first ever actor to play Bond, and reprised the role for seven movies.
- George Lazenby – The star only played Bond once, but was the youngest actor to ever play the spy.
- Roger Moore – The late movie star spent 12 years making seven films in the famous franchise.
- Timothy Dalton – The smooth actor took over from Roger Moore and appeared in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
- Pierce Brosnan – The handsome star played Bond for four movies from 1995 to 2002.
- Daniel Craig – The British star was the first blonde James Bond and the sixth actor to win the role in 2005.
“Stephen has such a sharp mind and is always very immaculately dressed – every time I sit in that chair in my designer suit, I’m like: ‘Channel Stephen, channel Stephen!’”
However, Jimmy might not get to play the coveted role of Bond if Hollywood Actress, Saoirse Ronan‘s dreams are realised.
She has already revealed her secret ambition to star as a dastardly Bond baddie and she wants her husband Jack Lowden to play the role of 007.
Jack, 34, who was born in Essex and brought up in Scotland, is currently tipped among the bookies’ favourites to land the coveted role.
He became a household name playing Kenneth Noye in hit BBC drama The Gold alongside his turn in Slow Horses.
However, Bond producers have hinted that the new 007 might not be a man so who knows who will gain the career changing role.
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