When Netflix released the first “Enola Holmes” in 2020, audiences watched “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown reinvent herself as the eccentric, fourth-wall-breaking detective. They also met a breakout newcomer: Louis Partridge.
Six years later, at the world premiere of “Enola Holmes 3,” Partridge says he’s learned to navigate fame “in various ways, sometimes better than others.”
“The social media stuff can get a bit noisy sometimes, but it’s important to have good people around you — and to figure out for yourself what’s important outside of looking at your phone, to be honest, which is surprisingly hard to do these days. I’m not gonna lie,” Partridge told Variety Thursday night. “It sounds silly to say, but that’s quite tricky to do today.”
Since becoming an international star, Partridge has shared the screen with industry heavyweights like Cate Blanchett, landed a partnership with Prada and entered a high-profile relationship with Olivia Rodrigo. Looking back, he says he never expected so much attention on his personal life.
“I did not, but it’s a part of the job and I’m grateful to feel like I’m on the right path,” he explained. “I feel good about where I’m at. I’ve got more to do.”
That “more to do,” staying on the theme of uncertainty, includes a coveted role he never imagined Hollywood would one day consider him for: James Bond. Asked whether he’d ever pictured himself in the conversation to play 007, Partridge replied, “No, no. Not yet at least. But that’s something to keep in mind. I wonder what Variety thinks?”
Well, to answer Partridge’s question, Variety London Bureau Chief Alex Ritman reported in April that he’s one of several actors in contention for the job, aligning him with the widespread industry chatter that Amazon MGM Studios is searching for a “fresh-faced” British 007.
At 23, Louis Partridge would be a notably younger Bond than the other rumored contenders: Jacob Elordi (28), Callum Turner (36), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (35) and Harris Dickinson (29). He’d also skew younger than past Bonds when they started: Sean Connery (32), Daniel Craig (38), Pierce Brosnan (42) and Roger Moore (45).
A younger Bond would also offer long-term upside: Partridge could anchor five or six films over 15 years and still be under 40, while also at a lower cost than bigger names like Elordi or Taylor-Johnson. And if Amazon execs are targeting early-20s talent, the competition is slim: Kit Connor (22), Joe Locke (23) and Noah Jupe (21) — unless they go with a relative unknown.
After describing Variety’s report to Partridge on the red carpet, he delivered a sharp smile and ended on a note of gratitude: “Wonderful. Thank you, Variety.”
