🖋Lisoo Amzimba BBC

James Bond is a special kind of character. Playing this role places the actor among an extraordinary and select group of performers. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, only six people in the official Bond film series have played his part.

To get a better sense of this number, it’s worth noting that in just the past decade, the number of British prime ministers has been higher than the number of actors who have played James Bond. And the number of people who have walked on the Moon is double the number of those who have played this British secret agent. The last time a new Bond was introduced was 21 years ago.

So it’s only natural that James Bond fans have questions about the future of one of cinema’s most popular roles within one of the biggest film franchises.

📸WireImage/Corbis via Getty Images