The name James Nelson Joyce is now on many lips, and not just in Merseyside. A recent teaser shared on social media has ignited wild speculation among fans: Could he be the next James Bond?
The teaser was simple. Black and white. Cryptic. Yet it carried enough weight to send social media into overdrive. In his caption, he teased: “New role shot in Liverpool. Any guesses what it might be? All will be revealed tomorrow.” The suspense worked.
At 36, Nelson Joyce has already carved a meaningful path in acting. He wasn’t born into the industry. His route was more winding. Early on, he looked up to actors like Stephen Graham, whose career arcs showed what was possible.
At 21, he uprooted and moved to London for drama school. That decision shifted the trajectory. Since then, he’s delivered performances that reveal his versatility, from gritty crime dramas to intense character work.
Renaux, James Nelson-Joyce or Emily Blunt. https://t.co/M7IcZUZoYx
— Neil Young 1971 (@BohemiaStable) October 13, 2025
His role as Michael Kavanagh in This City Is Ours cemented him as a serious talent. The show unpacks the power plays inside a Merseyside crime family led by Ronnie Phelan and his son, Jamie. It’s one of the BBC’s most-watched new series of the year.
Returning cast includes:
- Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan
- Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams
- Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan
- Mike Noble as Banksy
- Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford
- Shaun Evans as Ozzie Thompson
- Álvaro Morte joining as Felipe Guzman
The ensemble and the storytelling have earned praise for their depth.
Fans didn’t hold back. Some guessed he’d landed a line in a Hugo Boss campaign. Others were more ambitious: a Bond role. With the teaser’s Liverpool setting and the quiet intensity in his social media presence, the Bond theory has gained traction.
His recent engagement announcement also caught headlines, with media outlets linking the buzz around his career to his personal life. (Though that’s beside the point, some argue.)
He’s referred to jokingly as “double-O Scouse,” a nod to the kind of playful confidence that fuels fan excitement.
There’s more than hype behind this fascination. His performance style leans raw. Authentic. He brings working-class grit to the screen, representing voices we rarely see in mainstream casting.
He’s already shown range. From Little Boy Blue to A Thousand Blows and This City Is Ours, he’s taken on diverse roles, often with bruised edges. Critics say the edge in his performances makes him memorable.
Also, a chance encounter with Stephen Graham at Nando’s years ago became a turning point. Graham, his idol, later offered guidance, opening a door for Nelson Joyce’s agent and early roles.
The reveal is near. Whether the role is Bond, a villain in a new drama, or a surprise genre shift, no one knows yet.
One thing’s clear: the UK is watching. His stardom feels like it’s growing from the ground up, not a PR push. And that feels more real.
If he does land a Bond part in the future, fans will look back on this teaser as the moment the speculation began in earnest.
Until then, all eyes are on Liverpool, Instagram, and the name James Nelson Joyce.
