James Bond contenders: Who is going to be the new 007?

published 21 March 2016

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07:Actor Idris Elba attends the "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" premiere during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2013 i — 179875419HW00029_Mandela_Lo

2. Idris Elba, 43

Long been seen as a Bond-in-waiting, Elba has recently been making all the right noises that his time might be now. The British star, who made his name with a thick Boston accent as Stringer Bell in The Wire, would be the first black actor to play the role on film. However, odds lengthened when Anthony Horowitz, who writes Bond novels for Ian Fleming's estate, said Elba was "too street" for the part, although the author has since apologised and says he can see other black actors in the role.