BBC confirms air date for James Bond 'wishlist' star in "intimate" WWII drama series
Could this rising Aussie star be our next 007?
The BBC has confirmed a premiere date for World War II drama The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which features a rising star rumoured to be in the running to play the next James Bond.
Based on the novel by Richard Flanagan, which won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2014, the series tells the story of fictional soldier Dorrigo Evans, played by Euphoria and Saltburn breakout star Jacob Elordi.
The series focuses on three periods of his life, the earliest being just prior to his deployment to the frontlines, the next being his time spent as a prisoner of war, and the last being decades later as he comes to terms with his life and experiences.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North aired in April on Prime Video outside of the UK, but will finally have its premiere on BBC One at 9:15pm on Sunday 20th July 2025.
All episodes will be available to stream on iPlayer as a box set from that date too.
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Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisition, said: "The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a complex, beautiful, and heart-wrenching series which sensitively interweaves several stages in the life of surgeon Dorrigo Evans, from the passion of first love to the unflinching depiction of life as a prisoner of war in occupied Burma.
"We are so very pleased to bring this truly exceptional adaptation to BBC viewers."
The Staircase and Mothering Sunday star Odessa Young co-stars as Amy Mulvaney, the woman who has captured Dorrigo's heart, while the supporting cast includes Ciarán Hinds (Belfast), Olivia DeJonge (Elvis) and Essie Davis (Apple Cider Vinegar).
Executive producers at Curio Pictures Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner added: "The Narrow Road to the Deep North is an epic tale of the sustaining power of love under the harshest of circumstances.
"Curio is honoured to help bring to this spectacular story to life with creators Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel, novelist Richard Flanagan and our brilliant cast and crew. We can’t wait for audiences to see it."
Series lead Elordi was recently named in a report by Variety as one of the frontrunners to take over the James Bond franchise for Amazon MGM Studios, following the departure of Daniel Craig in 2021's No Time to Die.
The Australian actor, who hails from Brisbane, is rumoured to be competing against the likes of Spider-Man's Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson, who is already set to play John Lennon in Sam Mendes's The Beatles biopics.
Earlier contenders, such as 28 Years Later star Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Luther alum Idris Elba, are said to be out of contention as the studio eyes someone under the age of 30 to usher the franchise into a new generation.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North is coming to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 20th July 2025.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
