It’s almost been 10 years since TV fans first started watching Poldark on the BBC, becoming absorbed by the windswept romance and gripping action.
Even Aidan Turner, who led the drama as the titular Captain Ross Poldark from 2015, can’t quite believe that it’s almost been a decade.
On Sunday May 12, Metro.co.uk had the chance to speak to the actor on the red carpet of the Bafta TV Awards, where he later presented an accolade with EastEnders legend Danny Dyer.
During our chat, we spoke about the James Bond rumours that have been swirling around him for several years, as well as the ‘momentous’ occasion of Poldark’s 10th anniversary coming up next year, which he starred in opposite Eleanor Tomlinson as Demelza.
When we brought up the milestone, Aidan seemed quite blown away by the realisation.
‘Is that right? I hadn’t thought about it till you mentioned it right now. How do I feel? I don’t know how I feel! It’s 10 years since we started shooting, right? I suppose it’s pretty momentous,’ the 40-year-old said.
‘It’s a great show. We’re all really proud of it. A lot of us are still friends. It’s always cool. It’s a fun thing.’
While Poldark came to an end in 2018 with the fifth and final season, we had to know if The Hobbit star would ever consider returning to the fold as Captain Ross.
‘I think I’ve probably moved on from that now,’ he admitted.
‘I think we’re all doing different things. You can never say never to anything, especially when people get on and there’s more story to tell. But I think probably not is the answer if you want something more definitive than that.’
Following Aidan’s tenure in Poldark, rumours circulated that he was being considered to play James Bond, after Daniel Craig bid farewell to the character.
He was one of quite a few on the list of contenders to be the next 007 when Daniel stepped down from the role following No Time To Die in 2021.
Of course, many actors’ names have floated around the rumour mill, but now Aidan has spoken about whether he’d ever consider it.
‘There’s a lot of actors [rumoured to be the next James Bond], 20 or 30 actors. Years ago I heard a bit about it, I haven’t heard a lot about it over the last couple of years,’ he told Metro.co.uk.
When asked whether he would consider it, Aidan replied: ‘Probably not.’
Well, that’s the end of that.
This comes weeks after reports that a British actor had been formally offered the role of the troubled spy were dismissed.
It had been claimed that the search was over, with reports saying Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who had previously been evasive about becoming the next James Bond, had been cast.
A production insider then told the BBC that there was ‘no truth’ in the report and that Aaron has not been offered Bond.
A source previously told The Sun that Bond is ‘Aaron’s job’ if he wants it.
‘Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back,’ they said before the BBC source rubbished this claim.
The Aaron rumours didn’t appear out of thin air though, as he responded cryptically when asked about the role in a previous interview.
‘I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now,’ he replied to Esquire.
Plus, it was claimed he impressed in a secret audition for producer Barbara Broccoli at Pinewood Studios in 2022.
Alongside Aidan and Aaron, other actors tipped for the role include the likes of Idris Elba and Happy Valley’s James Norton.
According to predictions at the time of writing from Ladbrokes, Aaron is still favourite to become the next Bond, while Snowfall star Damson Idris’ odds are 9/2, and Happy Valley’s James comes in at 5/1. Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page also has 6/1 odds.
That’s without mentioning the actors who have thrown their hats into the ring, with Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount doing just this days ago.
‘I think, at some point, to play James Bond would be the ultimate,’ he told Us Weekly. ‘I’d love to dive into more action roles.
‘We shot a movie last year that was one fight sequence after another, with explosions going off left and right. I absolutely loved it.’
Meanwhile, Aidan is starring alongside David Tennant in an upcoming drama called Rivals – based on Jilly Cooper’s famed book of the same name.
Hot Property Picks from Metro
What I Rent: 'I pay £1,925 for a one bed flat but it revived my social life after divorce'
Someone is literally renting out their garden shed – for £1,300 per month
There are only 6 London postcodes where you can rent a room for under £800
The renter-friendly DIY hacks interior designers say will transform your space
'Magical' town with two castles named best place to live in the South West
The Bafta TV Awards are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : The Traitors winner Harry Clark reveals why he still hasn’t spent his £95,000 prize money
MORE : Antony Cotton speaks out on Coronation Street’s many recent award snubs amid show complaints
Share this with