With Denis Villeneuve's James Bond reboot still years away, fans have been buzzing about who could next step into 007's tuxedo. Names like Jacob Elordi, Damson Idris, and Henry Cavill have all been floated, but IO Interactive surprised everyone by casting Patrick Gibson as Bond in their latest franchise game, 007 First Light. And if you've seen his breakout role in Netflix's near-perfect sci-fi series The OA, you'll understand why.
Gibson's casting has already generated excitement, but longtime TV fans know him as Steve Winchell from The OA, a mind-bending series that blended supernatural mystery, interdimensional travel, and fantasy. The show, which premiered on December 16, 2016, followed Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), a blind woman who returns home after seven years with her sight restored. She shares her story with four teenagers and a teacher, revealing her journey to becoming the "Original Angel."
Gibson played Steve, a character who undergoes one of television's most dramatic redemption arcs. Starting as an aggressive bully, Steve gradually reveals a deeply wounded yet fiercely loyal soul. The arc culminates in the Part I finale when Steve joins the group to perform the Movements, opening a portal for Prairie to travel to another dimension. In the jaw-dropping Part II finale, Steve jumps into a moving ambulance to confront the villain Hap, delivering the iconic line, "Hello, Hap."
Unfortunately, Netflix canceled The OA after two seasons in August 2019, leaving the story on a cliffhanger. Despite strong critical reception, fans never learned Steve's fate. Creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, along with star Jason Isaacs, have continued to express hope that the planned five-season story can one day be completed. For now, The OA remains a cult classic, and Gibson's performance is a standout.
Gibson's work in The OA laid the foundation for his role in 007 First Light, which serves as an origin story for a younger, less refined Bond. The game, released on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, follows a 26-year-old Bond on a mission to earn his '00' status. Narrative director Martin Emborg noted that Gibson brought a "built-in impatience" perfect for a younger Bond, along with a natural charisma and fearless intensity rooted in childhood trauma.
The game sold 2.7 million units in its first week and earned praise for its gameplay, combat system, writing, and Gibson's performance. It's unrelated to Villeneuve's upcoming film reboot, but it has already redefined expectations for the franchise's future. If you're looking for more underrated gems, check out our list of Forgotten Gems: 7 Near-Perfect Action Shows That Deserve a Second Look.
Gibson's breakout in The OA from a decade ago now reads like an early preview of the intensity he brings to Bond. His casting reflects IO Interactive's broader reimagining of the franchise, shaping a younger, more reckless 007 agent built around emotional edge as much as action. In reimagining Bond through Gibson, the game doesn't just refresh a familiar character; it subtly resets expectations for where the franchise can go next.
