Homeland star Damian Lewis might be stepping into the shoes of Britain's most famous undercover agent, James Bond, if UK bookies odds are to be trusted.

William Hill revealed earlier this week that they had dramatically slashed their odds of 25/1 to 6/4 after speculation (and large bets) arose, pushing Lewis' name into the mix as the man who will become the next 007.

As rumors swirled that Spectre could be current Bond star Daniel Craig's last foray as the suave double agent, red-haired Lewis, 44, emerged as the bookies favorite to take up the mantle when Craig departs.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams told the Daily Telegraph,"This is an unprecedented gamble, as for no apparent reason we have seen bets of up to £200 ($314) on Damian Lewis being named as the next Bond. This might well be significant."

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Lewis is now just ahead of his potential Bond competitors, who include Idris Elba (at 5/2), Tom Hardy (at 4/1), Henry Cavill (at 5/1) and Michael Fassbender (7/1).

Elba, who had previously been the front-runner to play the coveted role, told audiences at London's British Film Institute in April that he had had no contact from Bond production company Eon. "If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone,” the actor said, adding that the longstanding rumor was “really starting to eat itself”.

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