‘Slow Horses’ Star Jack Lowden Plays Coy on James Bond Rumors as 007 Screen Tests Heat Up

Few questions in Hollywood generate more noise than who will be the next James Bond, and every actor linked to the role has to decide how to handle it. Some deny, some joke, and some say as little as possible. The latest to respond is ‘Slow Horses’ star Jack Lowden, whose Jack Lowden James Bond rumors have grown louder with every passing month.

The 36-year-old Scottish actor plays MI5 agent River Cartwright opposite Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV spy thriller, and his résumé also includes ‘Dunkirk,’ ‘Mary Queen of Scots,’ ‘Benediction’ and ‘The Outrun.’ That spy-drama pedigree has made him a natural fit for the 007 conversation. Now, as the search for Daniel Craig’s successor reportedly enters its final stages, Lowden has finally weighed in.

In an interview with British GQ published on Monday, Lowden addressed the casting chatter without confirming or denying anything. He described the speculation as flattering and said it’s nice to be mentioned for any role. He added that he doesn’t want to contribute to the noise and doesn’t really listen to it.

GQ characterized the response as a careful bucket of cold water. Lowden also pushed back gently on the idea that the rumors mean much, suggesting that young male actors get linked to Bond almost automatically the moment they step out of quirky artist roles and into a suit. He gave the interview in September, shortly after the latest wave of speculation began.

That wave started when Oldman said on Canada’s The Morning Show that the next Bond had already been chosen but not yet announced. He added that his fingers were crossed for Lowden, who he said had been rumored to be on the shortlist. Oldman later clarified that he doesn’t actually know who won the part and is simply hoping it’s his co-star.

Lowden called Oldman a sweetheart and said the support was particularly lovely coming from someone like him. The comments had an immediate impact on prediction markets. Lowden’s odds on Kalshi jumped to 38% on September 7 and reached as high as 61% the next day, while Polymarket briefly put him at 49%.

The reporting around the casting process has moved quickly. Variety reported on October 23 that Amazon MGM Studios was preparing final screen tests for the role, with Lowden and ‘Masters of the Air’ star Callum Turner believed to be among the contenders. Josh O’Connor has reportedly been offered a test as well, and some outlets have mentioned a mystery fourth finalist.

Other names that have circulated include Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Paul Mescal. No official announcement has been made, and Denis Villeneuve is directing ‘Bond 26.’ Anything said by actors, Lowden included, remains speculation until the studio speaks.

Several details have kept Lowden at the front of the conversation. Casting director Nina Gold cast him in ‘Slow Horses’ and is also handling ‘Bond 26,’ which gave extra weight to an August comment from broadcaster Richard Osman. Osman said Lowden’s name was the one he’d heard, though he later made clear it wasn’t a done deal and that Lowden was being strongly considered.

There’s also the matter of fit. Lowden has already played a spy on screen and has the kind of intensity fans associate with the Craig era. Critics of the idea point to practical hurdles, including his Apple TV commitments, and one Bond author has questioned whether he’d be convincing enough in an action-heavy role.

Lowden’s wife, Saoirse Ronan, has also addressed the chatter. In an AP interview, she responded to the rumors by joking that Oldman thinks he’s Bond, before suggesting the speculation is its own thing and not dominating their household. Her tone matched her husband’s, which was relaxed and a little amused.

Lowden has been here before. In 2022, he told the AP that the rumors were lovely while casting doubt on their validity. Four years later, he’s keeping a similar line, now with far more betting money riding on the outcome.

For now, the most likely outcome is that fans wait for an announcement. If screen tests are underway as reported, a decision could arrive in the coming weeks, and ‘Bond 26’ is expected to reach theaters in 2028. Until then, Lowden’s polite refusal to play along will continue to fuel the very speculation he says he isn’t adding to.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!