Mads Mikkelsen portrayed Le Chiffre, the
Casino Royale Acteur Main Cast Guide
Casino Royale introduced a new James Bond actor in 2006. Daniel Craig took the role and changed the tone of the franchise. The film also featured a strong supporting cast that shaped the story around high-stakes poker.
Daniel Craig as James Bond
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style to Bond. His performance in the
Craig brought a physical and emotional style to Bond. His performance in the poker scenes showed both calculation and vulnerability. The actor returned for four more films after Casino Royale.
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
assists Bond during the tournament. Her character
Green played the Treasury agent who assists Bond during the tournament. Her character drives the emotional arc and remains central to later Bond plots. The performance earned critical praise for depth.
Supporting Players
film's main antagonist. Judi Dench reprised her
Mads Mikkelsen portrayed Le Chiffre, the film's main antagonist. Judi Dench reprised her role as M. Jeffrey Wright appeared as Felix Leiter, linking the story to earlier Bond entries.
Casting Impact on the Series
Pros
The choice of Craig shifted the
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franchise toward realism and character focus. Subsequent
The choice of Craig shifted the franchise toward realism and character focus. Subsequent films kept the same team and expanded the story threads started in Casino Royale.
Pros and Cons of the Cast
Pros
Strengths include strong chemistry between Craig
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and Green and memorable villain work by
Strengths include strong chemistry between Craig and Green and memorable villain work by Mikkelsen. Some viewers note limited screen time for supporting MI6 agents.
Verdict
a new standard for the series. Their
The cast of Casino Royale set a new standard for the series. Their performances continue to influence Bond films in 2026.