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Cast of Bond 25 – Stars Roles and Key Details

James Freddie Clarke Sutton • 2026-04-06 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

No Time to Die represents Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as James Bond, concluding his 15-year tenure as the iconic British agent. The 2021 film, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, assembled a diverse ensemble that balanced returning franchise veterans with significant new additions to the 007 universe.

The cast features Oscar-winning talent alongside established character actors, creating a roster that spans multiple generations of cinema. From the primary antagonist portrayed by Academy Award winner Rami Malek to the groundbreaking introduction of a new 00-agent played by Lashana Lynch, the film’s casting decisions generated substantial attention during its theatrical release and subsequent streaming availability.

Who Are the Main Stars of Bond 25?

Daniel Craig

James Bond

Final appearance as 007, portraying the character in retirement at the film’s opening before returning to active service to confront the villain Safin.

Rami Malek

Lyutsifer Safin

Primary antagonist orchestrating a sinister plan to annihilate millions using biological technology and nanobot weaponry.

Lashana Lynch

Nomi

New 007 agent assigned the number following Bond’s retirement; teams with Bond to combat Safin’s threat despite initial professional friction.

Léa Seydoux

Madeleine Swann

Returning love interest from Spectre, living with Bond in Jamaica at the film’s beginning before their relationship faces severe testing.

  • Daniel Craig’s fifth outing as 007 marked his definitive retirement from the role after Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre.
  • Rami Malek joined the cast following his Oscar win for Bohemian Rhapsody, bringing immediate prestige to the villain role.
  • Lashana Lynch became the first female and first Black actor to officially hold the 007 designation within active MI6 service in the franchise history.
  • Léa Seydoux reprised her role from Spectre (2015), providing narrative continuity across the six-year gap between films.
  • Christoph Waltz returned as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, maintaining the SPECTRE storyline established in the previous installment.
  • Ana de Armas appeared as Paloma, a CIA operative, marking her second collaboration with Daniel Craig following Knives Out.
  • The cast includes Lisa-Dorah Sonnet as Mathilde, representing a younger generation within the Bond universe.
Performer Character Previous Notable Work Status
Daniel Craig James Bond Casino Royale, Skyfall, Knives Out Returning
Rami Malek Lyutsifer Safin Bohemian Rhapsody (Oscar winner) New
Lashana Lynch Nomi Captain Marvel New
Léa Seydoux Madeleine Swann Spectre, Blue Is the Warmest Colour Returning
Christoph Waltz Ernst Stavro Blofeld Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds Returning
Ana de Armas Paloma Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out New
Naomie Harris Eve Moneypenny Skyfall, Moonlight Returning
Ben Whishaw Q Skyfall, Spectre Returning

Comprehensive cast information is available from Radio Times.

Who Comprises the Supporting Cast and Production Team?

MI6 Personnel

Ralph Fiennes continues as M, the head of British intelligence, while Naomie Harris returns as Eve Moneypenny, the former field agent now serving as M’s assistant and Bond’s trusted ally. Ben Whishaw reprises his role as Q, the quartermaster responsible for equipping agents with specialized technology. Rory Kinnear appears as Bill Tanner, M’s chief-of-staff, returning to the franchise after his previous appearance in Quantum of Solace.

International Intelligence Operatives

Jeffrey Wright returns as Felix Leiter, the CIA agent and Bond’s American counterpart who recruits the retired 007 for one final mission. Billy Magnussen portrays Logan Ash, another CIA operative working alongside Leiter. Ana de Armas appears as Paloma, a Cuban operative who assists Bond during a critical sequence in Havana.

Antagonists and Scientific Personnel

David Dencik plays Valdo Obruchev, the scientist whose disappearance catalyzes the film’s central conflict. Dali Benssalah appears as Primo, also referred to as Cyclops, serving as an enforcer within the film’s criminal elements. Christoph Waltz’s return as Blofeld established a direct narrative link to Spectre, maintaining continuity across Craig’s final two films. The character’s complex history with Bond—including their adoptive relationship following the death of Blofeld’s father—resurfaced in this final chapter.

Additional cast verification appears in TV Guide and the James Bond Wiki.

How Did the Casting Development Proceed?

Lead Actor Commitment

Daniel Craig’s participation marked his fifth portrayal of the character, representing his concluding performance after fifteen years in the role. Specific contractual confirmation dates and negotiation timelines remain undocumented in publicly available sources.

New Talent Integration

Rami Malek joined the production following his Academy Award recognition, while Lashana Lynch’s casting introduced a new dynamic to the 00-section. The specific audition processes or offer dates for these performers are not detailed in available documentation, as the production maintained confidentiality regarding such timelines.

What Cultural Impact Did the Casting Decisions Create?

The introduction of Lashana Lynch as Nomi represented a significant evolution in the franchise’s approach to the 00-section. As the first woman and first Black performer to officially occupy the 007 designation within active service, her casting generated substantial discussion regarding representation within the long-running series.

Ana de Armas’s appearance, though brief, marked a reunion with Craig following their collaboration in the mystery thriller Knives Out. This casting choice demonstrated the producers’ willingness to incorporate contemporary cinema partnerships into the established Bond framework.

Extensive pre-release speculation suggested various performers might succeed Craig as Bond, including Idris Elba. Producer Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have not confirmed any casting decisions for future Bond installments.

Production aggregation and reviews are available at Rotten Tomatoes.

When Did the Cast Assembly Occur?

  1. : Daniel Craig confirmed for his fifth and final portrayal of James Bond.
  2. : Rami Malek announced as the primary antagonist Lyutsifer Safin.
  3. : Lashana Lynch confirmed as Nomi, the new 007 agent.
  4. : Theatrical release of No Time to Die, revealing the complete ensemble including Ana de Armas and David Dencik.

Specific month and day details for these announcements remain unclear in available sources. The production experienced delays that shifted the release from April 2020 to October 2021, though casting remained consistent throughout this period.

Complete cast credits are listed on IMDb.

Which Casting Details Are Established Versus Uncertain?

Confirmed Information

  • Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as James Bond
  • Rami Malek as villain Safin
  • Lashana Lynch as new 007 agent Nomi
  • Christoph Waltz returning as Blofeld
  • Ana de Armas as Paloma
  • Director Cary Joji Fukunaga
  • Screenwriters Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Undocumented or Speculative

  • Specific audition dates and casting announcement calendars
  • Pre-release rumors regarding Idris Elba as Craig’s successor
  • Behind-the-scenes producer deliberations
  • Specific actor contract negotiation timelines
  • Future casting for Bond 26

How Does This Cast Fit Within Bond History?

No Time to Die concluded Daniel Craig’s serialized narrative arc that began with Casino Royale in 2006. Unlike previous Bond actors whose films maintained loose continuity, Craig’s era required consistent casting returns—particularly Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz—to resolve ongoing storylines regarding Bond’s personal relationships and the SPECTRE organization.

The ensemble represented the most diverse cast in the franchise’s six-decade history, introducing performers of varied ethnic backgrounds and nationalities to roles traditionally occupied by British actors. This expansion reflected broader shifts in global cinema production during the 2020s.

For analysis of ensemble casting in other productions, see the Cast of Peaky Blinders.

What Official Documentation Supports These Details?

Casting information derives from official studio listings, entertainment journalism from Radio Times and TV Guide, and verified film databases. Specific quotations from producers or performers regarding casting decisions were not available in the reviewed documentation.

Primary verification sources include MGM/United Artists distribution records, Rotten Tomatoes aggregation of cast lists, and the official 007 website documentation. Wikipedia provides additional aggregation of publicly confirmed cast details.

What Defines the Complete Bond 25 Cast?

The cast of No Time to Die comprises Daniel Craig’s final performance as James Bond supported by Rami Malek’s villainous turn as Safin and Lashana Lynch’s groundbreaking portrayal of Nomi, the new 007. The ensemble balances returning franchise veterans—including Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw—with new additions such as Ana de Armas and David Dencik, creating a roster that concluded Craig’s fifteen-year tenure while establishing potential pathways for future narratives. For additional casting coverage, see the Ed Gein Girlfriend Adeline report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is No Time to Die Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film?

Yes. This marks his fifth and final appearance as 007, concluding his tenure that began with Casino Royale in 2006.

Who plays the new 007 in Bond 25?

Lashana Lynch plays Nomi, who inherits the 007 designation while Bond is retired in Jamaica.

Does Blofeld return in No Time to Die?

Yes. Christoph Waltz reprises his role as Ernst Stavro Blofeld from the previous film Spectre.

What role does Ana de Armas play?

She portrays Paloma, a CIA operative who assists Bond during a mission in Cuba.

Who directed No Time to Die?

Cary Joji Fukunaga directed the film, replacing Danny Boyle who departed the project during development.

Who composed the score for Bond 25?

Hans Zimmer composed the musical score, replacing Thomas Newman from the previous two installments.

Is there a child character in the cast?

Yes. Lisa-Dorah Sonnet appears as Mathilde, though specific details regarding her character’s relationships remain minimal in available sources.

James Freddie Clarke Sutton

About the author

James Freddie Clarke Sutton

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.