Steven Knight, the acclaimed creator of the hit series Peaky Blinders, has officially signed on to write the next James Bond film, marking a significant new chapter for the iconic spy franchise. Confirmed on August 1, 2025, Knight’s involvement was announced following a lengthy and competitive selection process, and he spoke candidly about his excitement and ambitions for the project during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“It has always been on my bucket list and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it,” Knight said. “I can’t wait to get started.” His enthusiasm for the role is clear, and he hopes to craft a Bond story that is “better, stronger and bolder” than what fans have seen before. “I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder,” he added.
Knight’s appointment comes amid major creative shifts in the Bond franchise. In February 2025, longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped down from their day-to-day roles, handing full creative control to Amazon MGM Studios. While Broccoli and Wilson remain co-owners of the franchise, Amazon now oversees production and distribution, having acquired MGM in 2022.
The new Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for his visionary work on Dune. Villeneuve’s attachment to the project was announced in late June 2025, and he expressed a deep personal connection to the Bond legacy, recalling his earliest moviegoing memories of watching Sean Connery’s Dr. No with his father. “I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” Villeneuve said.
With Knight as screenwriter and Villeneuve as director, the core creative team is nearly complete. Production will be overseen by producers Amy Pascal, known for her work on the Spider-Man films, and David Heyman, famed for producing the Harry Potter series. This new team represents a fresh direction for the franchise, which has been in the hands of Broccoli and Wilson’s Eon Productions since its inception.
Despite the announcement of its creative leads, the identity of the next actor to portray James Bond remains a closely guarded secret. Daniel Craig, who starred in five Bond films including the 2021 release No Time to Die, stepped down from the role in 2021. Since then, speculation has swirled around potential successors, with British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton, as well as Irish actor Paul Mescal, frequently mentioned in the press. More recent reports suggest Villeneuve favors a younger lead, with names like Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, and Jacob Elordi also in the mix.
When asked about the casting, Knight was diplomatic and coy. “That is a very, very good question, and one I can’t give you the answer to,” he said. Whether he himself knows the identity or is bound by confidentiality remains unclear. Regardless, the anticipation among fans continues to build as the franchise prepares for its next evolution.
Steven Knight’s career spans more than two decades, with notable film credits including Gypsy Woman (2001) and the critically acclaimed Dirty Pretty Things (2002), which earned him an Oscar nomination. He is best known for creating the gritty BBC drama Peaky Blinders, which ran for six series and is currently being adapted into a feature film titled The Immortal Man. Knight’s recent work also includes the biopic Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas, and the upcoming series House of Guinness.
Reflecting on the selection process, Knight described how he was invited to a meeting with Amy Pascal without knowing the purpose, only to quickly learn he was being considered to write the next Bond script. “I became very, very excited and hopeful,” he recalled. “Then a process is followed where you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you’ve got it. So I found out a while ago, but it was announced last night, which is great.”
Knight acknowledged the high-pressure nature of the task ahead but remained confident. “You’ve just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can,” he said.
The upcoming Bond film is expected to be released in 2028, marking a seven-year gap since No Time to Die. It will be the first Bond movie not produced through Eon Productions, signaling a fresh era under Amazon MGM Studios’ stewardship.
Barbara Broccoli, who helmed the franchise for 44 years, expressed enthusiasm about the new creative team. Speaking about Villeneuve’s role, she said, “He’s a fantastic filmmaker, I’m thrilled he’s going to be doing it.” She also noted her desire to pursue other projects, including a musical and various films and stage shows, reflecting a graceful passing of the torch.
As the Bond franchise embarks on this exciting new journey, fans worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in 007’s storied legacy. With Steven Knight’s storytelling prowess and Denis Villeneuve’s visionary direction, the future looks promising for the world’s most famous spy.
