High Wycombe acting school alumni Eddie Redmayne has been named as a fan favourite to play James Bond following the release of his new series. 

The Oscar-winning actor who previously starred in Fantastic Beasts and The Theory of Everything was suggested for the role by fans after his performance in The Day of the Jackal. 

The new ten-part series, available on Sky Atlantic and NOWTV, sees Redmayne play the elusive assassin, Jackal, who carries out hits for the highest fee. 

He meets his match when he is tracked down by a tenacious British Intelligence officer, played by Lashana Lynch, in a chase across Europe. 

The show is based on the Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name and such was the success of last week's first episode, Redmayne has been linked with the vacant 007 job. 

READ MORE: Jackie Palmer Stage School's Eddie Redmayne to star in new Sky series

One X (formerly Twitter) user, Luke Wilson wrote: "Eddie Redmayne thrown his hat well and truly in the ring for the Bond gig, off the back of the Jackal series IMO".

Another viewer, Paul Stenson wrote: "Anyone else watching the new 'The Day of the Jackal' on Sky Atlantic and thinking... "Wouldn't Eddie Redmayne make a great James Bond?"

The 42-year-old is one of several names who've been thrown in the hat to play the iconic British spy after Daniel Craig's last outing in 2021's No Time To Die. 

It was previously reported that fans would need to wait half a decade to see another 007 movie, but the wait could go on even longer as the next Bond actor is yet to be confirmed. 

Another social media user, James Owoeye said: "I don't know who out there needs to hear this. Please EDDIE REDMAYNE has to be the next James Bond.

"007 is inherent in him. Effortlessly. Please!"

READ MORE: Eddie Redmayne series The Day of the Jackal airing tonight

But in an interview in 2016 with American magazine, Variety, the star said: "I definitely will not be playing James Bond. I would hate to see myself play James Bond. 

"I love going to see “James Bond” and seeing really freaking cool actors that I admire doing great things. Never say never, but … no."

Redmayne is one of a number of stars including James Corden and Aaron Taylor-Johnson who attended the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe.

The now 42-year-old trained at the Bridge Street acting school at weekends and stays in touch with those who helped him to master his skills. 

He applied to join the Jackie Palmer Agency at age 10 and joined the school for shows at the Wycombe Swan, singing from shows like 'Into the Woods' and 'Sweeney Todd'. 

Redmayne then returned to the county as he played Professor Stephen Hawking's wedding scene at Holy Trinity Church in Penn and other scenes around Puttenham Farm and woodland areas in Penn Bottom.