Outlander star Sam Heughan admits he would love to be the next James Bond

Outlander star Sam Heughan believes it is every actor’s dream to play James Bond after previously auditioning for the role more than a decade ago. 

The Scottish actor, 40, has developed a strong case to become the seventh 007 when Daniel Craig finally hangs up his Walther PPK following the delayed release of No Time To Die in September. 

And he tells Radio Times that winning the coveted role would be an opportunity to Never Say Never Again after previously auditioning for Bond before Craig’s 2005 casting was even confirmed. 

He explained: ‘I met Barbara Broccoli and [Casino Royale director] Martin Campbell. I did a scene and they had the gun from The Man with the Golden Gun on the table and I remember thinking, “Wow, this is incredible”. It was surreal. He’s a character we’ve all grown up with.’

While competition remains stiffer than a shaken Martini, Heughan admits he would jump at the chance to play Bond should he be given a second opportunity to win Broccoli over.  

‘I don’t think any actor would ever say no,’ he said. ‘If I was asked to audition for it, I would be delighted.’ 

For now the actor must content himself with his current role as time-travelling Highlander Jamie Fraser in Outlander, the hit historical drama series based on the bestselling books by Diana Gabaldon. 

With plenty of action and some occasional nudity the show has helped turn Heughan into something of a household name, and he admits to receiving some rather unusual gifts from his admiring fanbase.   

He said: ‘I’ve had a variety of strange and wonderful things over the years. I got sent a crate of avocados, I got a blanket with my face all over it – a group of women had sewn it together. 

‘When I take my clothes off [on Outlander] I have to wear a modesty pouch and a generous lady crocheted me one.’  

Away from Outlander the actor will take centre stage in new film SAS: Red Notice, in which he stars alongside Andy Serkis and Ruby Rose. 

Reflecting on his role as globetrotting trained killer Tom Buckingham, Heughan admits he is not dissimilar to author Ian Fleming’s iconic secret agent. 

‘You have to draw parallels because it’s a similar world, he said. ‘I feel like our movie is a bit of Bond and a bit of Bourne.’  

The full interview is available in the current issue of Radio Times, out now.