Who will be the new James Bond? Bookies slash odds on War & Peace star James Norton

Tom Hardy and Damian Lewis are also in contention for the prestigious role

BBC One's adaption of the Tolstoy classic is set to hit screens on Thursday (BBC)

There’s a new contender for the prestigious titular role in the James Bond series, according to the bookies.

While fans have been holding out for the likes of Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and Henry Cavil to replace Daniel Craig as 007, War & Peace star James Norton’s name has been thrown into the ring.

Paddy Power slashed the odds on the actor becoming the next James Bond from rank outsider to 18/1 (via Metro).

James Norton as Prince Andrei Laurie Sparham (BBC)

Odds are still in the Mad Max star Hardy's favour (6/5), yet Damian Lewis (7/4) is close behind.

Norton starred as Prince Andrei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky in the BBC’s adaptation of the Russian epic War & Peace alongside the Lily James and Paul Dano.

He previously appeared in the shows Happy Valley and Grantchester, as well as starring in the film Mr. Turner.

Fellow BBC drama actor Aiden Turner, who is currently working on season two of the acclaimed adaptation of Winston Graham’s Poldark novels, is also believed to be in contention to play Bond.

Bookies are also offering odds on ex-Take That star Robbie William and comedian Alan Carr, both of whom stand at 250/1. Read who we think should be in contention to play Bond, here.