Next Bond Girl Race Heats Up – Surprising Name Now Leads in Latest Betting Odds
Much of the buzz around Bond 26 has focused on one big question: who will be the next 007? But while the hunt for the new James Bond dominates headlines, another high-stakes race is unfolding behind the scenes—the search for his leading lady. A cornerstone of the Bond legend, the Bond Girl has always brought style, charisma, and danger to the screen—whether as an ally, a rival, or something in between the sheets.
And in a surprising twist, it’s not a household name or blockbuster veteran leading the odds—it’s indie breakout Margaret Qualley, who has leapfrogged over the likes of Saoirse Ronan and Sydney Sweeney. With casting details still tightly under wraps, speculation is surging as fans and bookmakers alike weigh in on who could next step into one of the most iconic roles in cinematic history.
Let’s take a closer look at the frontrunners, and have some fun seeing what they might bring as the next Bond girl.
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Latest Betting Odds in race for the Next Bond Girl
Margaret Qualley – 13/8
Margaret Qualley’s rise to the top of the odds might surprise some, but anyone who’s followed her career knows she’s anything but predictable. With a hypnotic screen presence, Qualley has proven her versatility in roles like the quietly resilient single mother in Maid and the enigmatic hitchhiker in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
As a Bond Girl, Qualley wouldn’t just complement 007—she’d keep him guessing. Cool, sharp, and hard to read, she’s the kind of woman who knows more than she says, and never lets her guard down completely. The perfect foil for Bond who thinks he’s always in control.
Saoirse Ronan – 7/4
Four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan is a prestige powerhouse. Whether commanding the screen in Brooklyn, Lady Bird, or Little Women, she brings a fierce intelligence and emotional nuance to every role.
There’s a quiet steel beneath her refined exterior, the kind that suits an MI6 contact or political insider operating in dangerous territory. Bond fans who appreciate depth, intelligence, and icy allure in their leading ladies would see Ronan as a compelling evolution of the Bond Girl legacy.
Marisa Abela – 2/1
Fresh off her buzzworthy turn as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black, Marisa Abela is gaining serious momentum in the industry. With a background in Industry and theatre, she brings intensity and a raw edge that would have suited the more grounded, psychological tone of the Daniel Craig era.
You can picture her as someone with deep ties to the villain, or perhaps to Bond himself—an old flame reappearing in a far more dangerous context. For fans who enjoy the seductive pull of danger and a character who plays by her own rules, Abela could be an irresistible wildcard in the Bond universe.
Sydney Sweeney – 5/2
With her breakout roles in Euphoria and Anyone But You, Sydney Sweeney has become a modern Hollywood icon—equal parts sultry and savvy. She’s often cast as the underestimated young woman with hidden depths, and in a Bond movie, that contrast could make for a thrilling reveal: the femme fatale who’s more dangerous than anyone suspects.
Whether playing a seductive tech prodigy, a rogue heiress with a vendetta, or a double agent operating in plain sight, Sweeney would keep Bond on his toes and Bond fans on the edge of their cinema seats, especially those who crave the classic temptation draped in silk.
Molly Gordon – 3/1
Molly Gordon might not be the most obvious pick, but her grounded charm and razor-sharp wit in films like The Bear and Booksmart have proven her star is on the rise. In a franchise increasingly open to breaking molds, Gordon could bring a fresh, more down-to-earth energy to the Bond universe
She’s not the one gunning for the spotlight, but she could end up stealing it anyway. Funny, quick-thinking, and quietly bold, Gordon would be the kind of Bond Girl that offers a slow-burn chemistry and clever back-and-forth, akin to Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, maybe.
Ana de Armas – 13/2
Ana de Armas lit up the screen as Paloma in No Time to Die, leaving fans craving more. Though her odds are longer, a return—either as Paloma or a new character—would be welcomed. She’s proven she can handle the action, the charm, and the chemistry with Bond. Stylish, unpredictable, and effortlessly cool, she’s a scene-stealer.
A return in Bond 26 could see her stepping into a far more central role, maybe bringing her own mission, her own rules, and just enough unpredictability to keep Bond second-guessing. For fans who loved the sultry tension and explosive energy of her debut, a Paloma comeback wouldn’t just be welcome—it might be essential.
Got it—let’s keep the tone proud of the Bond legacy, stylish, and confident, without undercutting tradition. Here’s a revised version of the intro with that in mind:
Closing: Bond 26 is Coming…
As speculation continues to swirl around the next 007, the spotlight is also firmly on the woman who will share the screen—and possibly steal it. Whether the producers choose a bold newcomer like Margaret Qualley, a prestige pick with smouldering star power like Sydney Sweeney, or bring back the magnetic Ana de Armas, one thing is certain: the next Bond Girl won’t just turn heads—she’ll turn the game.
She’s not there to decorate the scene, but to disrupt it—smart, seductive, and dangerous in all the right ways. With casting announcements expected soon, fans can only imagine the chemistry, the tension, and the temptation that Bond 26 is about to unleash. Whoever lands the role as the leading Bond girl will be stepping into cinematic legend—and leaving their own unforgettable mark on it.
