Who were the next three actors, after Sean Connery and Roger Moore, to play dramatic roles as James Bond, 007?

After Sean Connery established the iconic role of James Bond and Roger Moore brought his distinct charm to the character, three other actors stepped into the dramatic shoes of Agent 007, each leaving their unique mark on the beloved spy. The first among them was George Lazenby, who took on the role for the 1969 film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Lazenby, an Australian model with no prior film acting experience, was a bold choice for the character. Despite being offered a contract for seven films, he ultimately chose to depart after just one, making him the only actor in the Eon Productions series to play Bond only once. His portrayal and film have, over time, garnered a more positive re-evaluation from fans and critics.

Following Lazenby and a brief return by Connery, Timothy Dalton took over the mantle, portraying James Bond in two films: "The Living Daylights" (1987) and "Licence to Kill" (1989). Dalton aimed for a grittier and more serious interpretation of Bond, closer to Ian Fleming's original literary character, a departure from Moore's more light-hearted approach. His tenure saw a shift towards realism, focusing on character depth and a darker tone.

The third actor to dramatically portray Bond after Connery and Moore was Pierce Brosnan, who revitalized the franchise with four films between 1995 and 2002: "GoldenEye," "Tomorrow Never Dies," "The World Is Not Enough," and "Die Another Day." Brosnan's portrayal blended the sophistication of Connery with a contemporary edge, making him a highly popular iteration of the spy. His era was a significant commercial success, reintroducing Bond to a new generation of audiences after a hiatus in the early 1990s due to legal disputes.