My only worry with Tom Hardy is the mumbling. He's done some great stuff over the years though and was able to carry the Mad Max role off without any problems.
The issue with a BAME and/or female Bond is how much they'd have to change the character. And then it becomes pointless in terms of it being Bond.
It's also lazy in terms of creativity - something Bond is already guilty of (Blofeld in the last one ffs).
Expanding the world might work but they tried that with Bourne to limited success.
They also had plans for a female Bond character with Angelina Jolie in Salt and a few attempts with Modesty Blaise.