Aidan Turner strongest contender among James Bond picks

Betting fans have put their money down on "Poldark" actor Aidan Turner to be cast as the next James Bond. Ladbrokes, a betting and gaming company known worldwide and based in Britain's Harlow, London, reports the odds are now at 1-2 for Turner to be picked. Turner has also played a role in "The Hobbit" trilogy as the elf-loving dwarf, Kili.

Tom Hiddleston ("The Night Manager") follows close in second place at a 2-1 odds while other names have been coming up as contenders, including superstars Idris Elba, Damian Lewis, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, and Henry Cavill as well as upcoming actor Jamie Bell. Nothing has been confirmed but an announcement is expected in a week.

Jessica Bridge, speaking for Ladbrokes, has said though: "Money talks, and it's the Poldark man that punters want as their next Bond." She adds, "Turner's been shaking and stirring the betting for the last week and it's not a huge surprise to see he's been backed into odds-on."

Daniel Craig, who reprised his role as the 007 last year in his fourth — and perhaps last — James Bond film, "Spectre," has not confirmed whether he is indeed leaving his coveted spot in the franchise. It is no secret though that he has committed to 20 episodes of the new American drama series, "Purity," to play the lead character Andreas Wolf.

Recently, however, an unconfirmed report has revealed that Craig has informed MGM he is leaving the long-running spy series. This update could only heat up the search for the new 007 to grace the world of espionage on film. Yet, Sam Mendes, who directed the last two James Bond films, "Skyfall" and "Spectre," warns that the decision is "not a public vote."

He spoke of the matter at the Hay Festival, "I can guarantee whatever happens with it, it will not be what you expect." He added, "That's what she (producer Barbara Broccoli) has been brilliant at, and that's how it'll survive."

There are even rumors coming out that the new James Bond will be a relatively unknown actor, Wayne Devlin. He has been reported by a source close to EON, the Bond production company, as a "method actor from Manchester who has been described as not too dissimilar to the original Bond, Sean Connery, which they really like."

Devlin, 39, has been seen meeting with Broccoli twice now in the past few weeks.

"James Bond" diehard fans are waiting with bated breaths for a formal announcement while casting is still ongoing.