Steven Knight Says He’s Been Writing the New James Bond for 10 Months While Consulting “Real-Life Spies” and “More Secret Outfits”

When Amazon secured creative control by reportedly paying an additional $1 billion to move the franchise forward, they had a plan: Denis Villeneuve to direct, Amy Pascal and David Heyman to produce, and Steven Knight to craft the screenplay.

Last we heard, the script is still not done, and that’s despite Knight having started work on it in July 2025. Now, in an interview with Screen, Knight has given an update, and as he continues to write, he’s also doing legitimate research.

To ground the new story in realism, Knight explained that he has been holding daily conversations “with the SAS and even more secret outfits” while researching modern espionage. He emphasized that the gritty realities of intelligence work directly connect back to Bond creator Ian Fleming, noting that Fleming “was living that life” during wartime and personally knew operatives involved in covert missions and assassinations.

Knight believes that authenticity is central to compelling storytelling, arguing that “to be a writer, you have got to know about people,” a philosophy he appears to be applying heavily to his Bond script.

Best known as the creator of “Peaky Blinders,” Knight also revealed that joining Bond had been a lifelong ambition. Reflecting on the opportunity, he said writing a Bond screenplay “has always been on my bucket list,” adding that he hopes his deep admiration for the franchise will help him create “something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”

Knight also confirmed that he has now spent roughly ten months immersed in developing and writing the script.

Knight’s style is very gritty and character-driven. Many of his stories feature working-class settings and terse dialogue. He has built a considerable reputation as a talented screenwriter. His notable credits include “Peaky Blinders,” “Eastern Promises,” “Dirty Pretty Things,” “Locke,” and “Spencer.”