Why ‘Rogue Agent’ is the Perfect Follow-Up for Fans of ‘The Recruit’

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Fans of Netflix’s slick espionage series, The Recruit, might be excited to see Noah Centineo taking up the role of James Bond in the future. However, as of mid-February 2025, English actor James Norton and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are the top contenders for the position in Bond 26, each having a 5/2 chance of landing the role according to Oddschecker. Yet, once casting agents and producers view Norton in the less-known spy drama Rogue Agent, it’s possible that his odds will significantly improve.

In 2022, I found myself captivated by the movie “Rogue Agent,” where Norton brilliantly portrays a cunning villain who deceives everyone into thinking he’s a high-ranking MI5 agent, even though he isn’t. His extraordinary acting skills in convincing those around him of his spy abilities make me wonder if he might just be the next James Bond. For those who appreciate the stylish yet implausible world of “The Recruit,” I highly recommend giving “Rogue Agent” a watch – it offers some extreme twists and turns that are truly mesmerizing.

‘The Recruit’s Darkly Comedic Take on Spy Dramas

In the Netflix series “The Recruit,” created by Alexi Hawley, we find a blend of legal drama, dark comedy, and adventure. The narrative follows Owen Hendricks (Centineo), a greenhorn CIA lawyer who finds himself in an ethical dilemma as he navigates the intricate world of sensitive intelligence operations. As he struggles with daily procedures, Owen’s life takes a dangerous turn when he receives a call from Max Meladze (Laura Haddock). Max, a former CIA informant, threatens to expose both herself and the CIA if she isn’t released from prison for allegedly beating a trucker to death.

In Owen’s attempt to unravel the intricate relationship between Max and the CIA, they find themselves caught in a thrilling, global political game. Trust becomes elusive as Owen questions who he can confide in and share confidential information. Typical of a Netflix original series, The Recruit leans more towards style than depth, and its success largely depends on the captivating charm of its lead actor, Noah Centineo.

In a fresh, entertaining take, “The Recruit” may not revolutionize the art of espionage or offer novel ideas, but it manages to be captivatingly fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny, and visually striking. Contrasting significantly with “Rogue Agent,” James Norton exhibits an equally mesmerizing charm as Centineo, boasting a distinct advantage for the role of Bond – being British by birth.

Who Is James Norton?

James Norton is a British actor who made his on-screen debut in the 2009 movie “An Education.” Over time, he has transitioned from playing secondary characters in films and TV shows to taking on leading roles, with nearly 50 acting credits to his name. Some of his earlier works include appearances in “Doctor Who,” “Mr. Turner,” “Bonobo,” “Angelica,” “War & Peace,” and “Black Mirror.” In 2017, Norton starred in the American version of “Flatliners,” helping to boost his international recognition.

Norton’s fame grew as he took on lead roles in “Little Women”, “The Nevers” for HBO, “A Little Life”, “Bob Marley: One Love”, and the Netflix film “Joy”. In 2025, Norton will appear in the ITV original drama miniseries titled “Playing Nice“. This year and beyond, he has several projects in development including “House of the Dragon”, “King and Conqueror”, “House of Guinness”, “Wife and Dog”, and “Sunny Dancer”.

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Norton’s fame expanded with leading roles in films like “Little Women”, TV series “The Nevers” on HBO, “A Little Life”, “Bob Marley: One Love”, and Netflix movie “Joy”. In 2025, he will feature in the ITV original drama miniseries “Playing Nice“. With a few projects in the pipeline for this year and coming years, Norton is also set to appear in “House of the Dragon”, “King and Conqueror”, “House of Guinness”, “Wife and Dog”, and “Sunny Dancer”.

In Norton’s impressive CV, there might be overlooked the 2022 spy drama titled “Rogue Agent.” Although the film doesn’t have the over-the-top dark humor of “The Recruit,” Norton’s powerful portrayal as a deceptive spy highlights why he is strongly considered for the role of the next James Bond.

‘Rogue Agent’ Tells a Thrilling True Spy Story

Under the direction of Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, the film titled “Rogue Agent ” unfolds the remarkable real-life tale of Robert Freegard (portrayed by Norton). This captivating narrative is based on Michael Bronner’s article “Chasing Agent Freegard.” In essence, the movie portrays the cunning criminal activities of Robert Freegard, a British imposter who successfully deceived the British intelligence community into thinking he was an authentic MI5 agent.

To kick off his elaborate scheme, Robert pretends to be an MI5 agent, asking three colleagues – Ian (Rob Malone), Mae (Freya Mavor), and Sophie (Marisa Abela) – for help in apprehending members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Assuming a high-end car sales representative persona, Robert encounters Alice Archer (Gemma Arterton), a lawyer whom he captivates with his suave James Bond-esque allure and charming sophistication. A key aspect of his charm involves offering her a lavish lifestyle filled with expensive sports cars and extravagant opulence.

As Alice gets nearer to revealing that Robert is not the genuine MI5 agent he claims to be but a fraudulent swindler instead, his deceptions grow increasingly complex to maintain his disguise. Even when Alice engages a private detective to scrutinize his financial records and credit history, Robert manages to stay one move ahead, confuses her trail, and persistently misleads her with vague alibis and watertight explanations that seem genuine but are actually part of his deception.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the uncanny resemblance Edward Norton bears to our beloved James Bond. His exceptional acting prowess and convincing portrayal of a fake MI5 agent are just the tip of the iceberg. At 40 years old in 2025, he fits the perfect age for the role, and his natural British dialect adds an authentic touch. Add to that his striking physical stature and the magnetic performance he delivered in “Rogue Agent”, it’s no wonder that Oddschecker considers Norton as the top contender to play the next Agent 007 in “Bond 26”.

Fans of the TV series “Recruit” who have finished Season 2 since its premiere on January 30, 2025, should make sure their streaming service is active and navigate towards the movie titled “Rogue Agent”. This film offers a deeper exploration of spy tactics and intricate betrayals with fewer comical elements. James Norton’s compelling and refined portrayal in this role suggests that he might be the ideal choice to slip into 007’s famous tuxedo for future appearances.

The Recruit and Rogue Agent are both available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-02-18 04:03