Outlander favourite addresses James Bond speculation: “I think that moment has passed”

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With Outlander finishing its run in just a week, the actors who’ve led the show for over ten years are now looking forward to new opportunities and roles.

While Sam Heughan is known for his roles in shows like ‘A Couple Next Door’ and the upcoming thriller ‘Embassy’, he’s also well-known for having auditioned for the iconic role of James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’.

So, Daniel Craig ultimately landed the role, and Casino Royale was his first outing as Bond. But I wonder if Sam Heughan would still be interested in taking on 007 now? With Denis Villeneuve potentially rebooting the series, they’re definitely on the hunt for a new leading man, and I can’t help but think Heughan could be a great fit.

Sam Heughan and his Outlander costar Caitríona Balfe discussed the show’s finale in an interview for the next issue of TopMob magazine.

“I think that moment has passed. I’m too old! Maybe I can play Bond’s dad,” Heughan says.

Balfe then suggested Heughan could play a Bond villain, someone who could really challenge James Bond in a fight. He playfully remarked that Heughan seemed well-suited for action roles. Heughan enthusiastically agreed, saying he’d be happy to consider it and is open to opportunities. “I’m always available, Denis,” he added with a smile.

Sam Heughan shared details about auditioning for the role, explaining to The Times last year that the process was highly confidential. He was brought to a meeting with the Bond team – including the casting director, producer Barbara Broccoli, and director Martin Campbell – in their private boardroom.

He described finding a golden gun on the table and being asked to film the scene immediately. He thought the whole situation was strange, and someone told him he lacked charisma.

Sam Heughan is currently focused on finishing the final season of Outlander and continuing work on his new film, Embassy, which also features Anna Kendrick and JK Simmons. Prime Video has recently acquired the rights to stream Embassy in the UK.

In the thriller ‘Embassy,’ Kendrick plays Layla, a clever and capable American diplomat. She’s put in a difficult position when she must decide whether to protect the U.S. Ambassador (played by Simmons) or obey his instructions to secretly extract a crucial person from the embassy.

Sam Heughan plays the role of Layla’s former fiancé – he’s a British SAS soldier who ends up helping her with her new, unexpected task, though he’s not thrilled about it. The series also features Aleksandar Jovanovic (known for The Gold), Lydia Leonard (Gentleman Jack), Mitya Savelau (3 Body Problem), Hasan Akil (Memory Box), and James Murray (Masters of the Air).

The film also features Luke Treadaway, known for his role in ‘Unbroken,’ Stephen Odubola from ‘Boiling Point,’ Katie McGrath of ‘The Ex-Wife,’ Alexander Karim who appears in ‘Gladiator 2,’ and Natalie Mendoza from ‘Jack Ryan’.

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Season 8 of Outlander is currently available on MGM+ in the UK and Starz in the US. If you’re interested in reading the books the show is based on, you can find them for purchase on Amazon.

Don’t miss Outlander! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing, freelancing, and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-05-10 11:06