Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar backs campaign for Martin Compston to be the next James Bond

‘I hope he takes the waistcoat with him,’ said the Ted Hastings actor

Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has thrown his support behind co-star Martin Compston to become the next actor to play James Bond.

Compston, who plays Steve Arnott on the hit BBC police drama, has been floated as a potential candidate for the role after Daniel Craig, the actor who has portrayed 007 since Casino Royale in 2006, steps down.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Dunbar, who plays Line of Duty’s Ted Hastings, said that he knew of the fan campaign to get Compston to play Bond.

“There’s a bit of talk that Martin Compston may be going onto play the next James Bond,” he said. “I’m getting behind that particular campaign and I hope he takes the waistcoat with him.”

Craig has said that he will no longer play the suave spy after the forthcoming film No Time to Die. It is due to be released in cinemas this September, having suffered multiple delays as a result of the pandemic.

Fans of the franchise have spent years speculating who could be next to portray Bond, with Idris Elba and Tom Hardy among the most frequently suggested actors.

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Craig himself is set to play Bond again in a sketch for Comic Relief, opposite the comedian Catherine Tate.

The skit will air this Friday (19 March), as part of the three-hour Red Nose Day event.

Line of Duty, meanwhile, will return to screens this Sunday (21 March), with the sixth series due to premiere at 9pm on BBC One.