Tom Hiddleston did little to dispel rumours he could be the new James Bond as he appeared in the final episode of his hit new series The Night Manager. Tom's character, suave agent Jonathan Pine, was seen ordering 007's signature drink – a vodka martini – in a scene set in a casino and caused a mini-meltdown amongst his fans. "Tom Hiddleston's job application is complete," one viewer commented, while another said: "#TheNightManager is honestly Tom's audition for James Bond."
© Photo: Getty ImagesA third added: "Tom Hiddleston so far has ordered a vodka martini, and played roulette in a casino. Looking grim for Idris Elba #TheNightManager."
Last month, fans launched an online campaign to make Tom the new James Bond – other names linked to the role include Idris, Damian Lewis and Tom Hardy.
But how does the man himself feel about all the Bond chatter? "Of course, it's flattering when people float that idea because as a child growing up in Britain, Bond is the centre of your world," he told Entertainment Weekly. "I grew up with Sean Connery and Roger Moore, and the BBC used to run those movies on Saturday night and it was all we talked about in the playground Monday morning. So it's very strange to be in that conversation."
Tom has previously acknowledged the similarities between Bond and Pine, and has admitted it would be an "extraordinary opportunity" if it "ever came knocking".
"I'm a huge fan of the series," he told The Sunday Times. "We all went to see Spectre when we were shooting Skull Island in Hawaii. I simply love the theme tune, the tropes and the mythology. I love the whole thing. But I am very aware of the physicality of the job. I would not take it lightly."
