Successfully managing the night could lead to booking a future hotel guest by the name of Tom Ford.

The same Tom Ford who tailors the suits for James Bond.

As fans of the 007 franchise remain shaken over the uncertain future of its leading man, witty 35-year-old British actor Tom Hiddleston is giving audiences a glimpse into his theatrical skills as a hotel night manager turned spy in The Night Manager on the BBC earlier this year and currently on AMC. Adapted from John le Carré‘s 1993 novel of the same name, with necessary narrative changes (the mini-series begins in the middle of the Arab Spring in Cairo, Egypt), Mr. Hiddleston’s portrayal as a spy has captured the imagination of viewers and critics alike. American viewers are 5 weeks into the 6 week mini-series. The reviews have been quite positive.

• 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
• 8.4/10 on IMDb
• 82% on Metacritic

After Daniel Craig not-so-eloquently expressed his exhaustion after preparing, filming and finishing the grand spectacle that is Spectre, which involved breaking glassware with some cheeky, dry wit that many took as absolutely literal, predicting the next 007 has gained considerable attention. The news surrounding this potential acting change has garnered more than the usual fanfare concerning this debate of British national pride and intrigue. Lingering above all the non-stop speculation is the indecisive nature of Mr. Craig, who has performed at a near Sean Connery level of James Bond in his four films (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre). Mr. Craig’s brutal realism and complementing charm has perfectly elevated the 20th century character to the challenges of the 21st century.

Here comes the intersection of Mr. Craig and Mr. Hiddleston.

Fans want Daniel Craig to stay (fully understanding the finality of Spectre dating back to 2006’s Casino Royale), but he’s given enough of a hint that he needs a break, at the very least. Fair enough. Fans, in watching the critically acclaimed Night Manager, are contemplating a new beginning and indisputable reinvention of the character for a new story line. Let’s not ignore the recent sighting of Tom Hiddleston with Sam Mendes, the director of Skyfall and Spectre.

What was said at this meeting? No way to know as those involved aren’t disclosing the details.

Ironically, this sort of extraction of information is a job fit for a man named Bond…James Bond.

Here is where this story gets ever-more interesting.

Betting odds involving which British actor will play 007 next has been suspended. These are the odds makers in England, encouraging cause for an eyebrow raise in this ongoing debate. Again though, it must be stressed that Daniel Craig has not officially declared he’s done with the iconic role. On the Today Show with Matt Lauer promoting Spectre last November, he hinted at the possibility of coming back.

As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance…”

Until an official announcement is made by the studio, we are left to piece together what we can like the spy himself and simply wonder.

It’s just most of us don’t want to wonder about James Bond without Daniel Craig.