Jack Lowden Calls James Bond Talk Flattering and Says He Will Stay Out of It
Jack Lowden says the speculation that he could be the next James Bond is flattering, but he has no plans to add to it. Speaking to British GQ, the Scottish actor said he would rather leave the rumours alone.
The most warmly received part of the conversation was about Gary Oldman. The two actors work together on Apple TV's Slow Horses, where Lowden plays River Cartwright opposite Oldman's Jackson Lamb. Oldman has publicly backed Lowden for the part, and Lowden said that support was especially lovely coming from someone like him.
Oldman's comments have been careful. On Canada's The Morning Show, he said the Bond producers had made their choice but had not announced it, and that he had his fingers crossed for Lowden. He later clarified that he had only heard a rumour that producers had picked someone from a six-person shortlist.
The search is taking place at a time of change for the franchise. The next Bond film will be the first since Amazon MGM Studios took creative control from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in 2025. Nina Gold is overseeing the casting search, and Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct, with Steven Knight writing the screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing.
Variety reported on 23 October that Amazon MGM was preparing final screen tests, with Lowden and Callum Turner among the contenders. The same outlet reported that Josh O'Connor had reportedly been offered a chance to test for the role. Earlier names linked to 007 include Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Paul Mescal.
Daniel Craig last played Bond in 2021's No Time to Die, closing a five-film run that began with Casino Royale in 2006. Every actor since has been measured against that stretch, which is part of why each new name draws so much attention.
Lowden is married to Saoirse Ronan. When Film Stories asked her in October about the rumour that her husband had been cast as Bond, she did not deny it. She talked about dogs and dinner instead.
For now, the public record is a list of tests, shortlists and good wishes. Lowden is not adding to it, Oldman is hoping, and the producers have not said who they have chosen.
