James Norton rules himself out of Bond run, says he's too old; House Of Guinness heads to Netflix

James Norton, 40, has ruled himself out of the James Bond running, saying he is too old to become 007. Since Daniel Craig relinquished the role in 2021 after No Time To Die, a string of actors has been linked to the part, with Norton among them. The actor told The Mirror there is no conversation going on, calling the speculation 'nonsense' and likening it to a bet in Wolverhampton while paparazzi crowd outside his door. 'There is no conversation going on. It is as if someone has a bet on in Wolverhampton and it is nonsense and I have paparazzi outside my door. It is all speculation.' He added, 'I think I am too old. I turned 40 this summer.' He also noted that taking the role would be life changing, and he prefaced his comment with a line about his current life: 'I can walk down to the pub. I like my life right now.'

James Norton is set to star in House Of Guinness, a Netflix eight-part drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, premiering on September 25. The series chronicles the Guinness family, one of Europe’s most famous dynasties, against the backdrop of 19th‑century Dublin and New York. Netflix’s synopsis describes an epic story inspired by the Guinness lineage, beginning after the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness and tracking how his will reshapes the fortunes of his four adult children — Arthur, Edward, Anne and Ben — and the broader circle connected to the world’s best‑known brewery.

The eight‑part series stars a mix of established and rising actors. The all‑star line‑up includes Masters Of The Air actor Anthony Boyle as Arthur, while Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge plays his brother Edward. Emily Fairn, best known for The Responder, steps into the role of Anne, and Normal People’s Fionn O’Shea rounds out the siblings as Ben. The cast is further bolstered by Dublin‑born actress Dervla Kirwan and Game of Thrones veteran Jack Gleeson, as the Guinness saga unfolds across a landscape of wealth, ambition and family tension.

House Of Guinness is billed as a drama about a dynasty whose public triumphs mask personal tragedy. The Guinness family’s fortune, which Netflix notes stands at more than £900 million today, has been shadowed by a series of high‑profile setbacks, from Tara Browne’s fatal car crash in South Kensington to reputational entanglements, affairs and the drowning of Honor Uloth in 2020. Knight has said the project will pull from both the glamour and the misfortune attached to the Guinness name, describing it as a rich tapestry of material to explore. 'The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, poverty, power, influence, and great tragedy are all intertwined to create a rich tapestry of material to draw from. I’ve always been fascinated by their stories and am excited to bring the characters to life for the world to see,' he said.

Ladbrokes’ list of preferred Bond contenders places Cavill at the top at 3/1, followed by Aaron Taylor‑Johnson at even money, Callum Turner at 5/1, Theo James at 7/1, Harris Dickinson at 8/1, Tom Holland at 10/1 and Jack Lowden at 10/1. Norton’s name remains among the circulating possibilities in industry chatter, though the actor has repeatedly signaled his preference to remain outside the espionage fray given the life changes such a role would require. In the meantime, his Netflix project is poised to become a prominent entry in a year that includes a slate of high‑profile prestige dramas.

House Of Guinness is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on September 25. The eight‑part series, born of Knight’s vision, aims to chart the Guinness family’s ascent while delving into the personal toll of power. Norton’s involvement adds a familiar face to a production that seeks to blend historical sweep with intimate family drama as the story traverses Dublin and New York in the 19th century.