Ever since Daniel Craig hung up his bespoke James Bond tuxedo after 2021’s No Time To Die, the million-dollar question in Hollywood has been which young up-and-coming actor is getting the keys to the Aston Martin next?
While a Bond producer has recently hinted that an official decision should drop before the year ends, podcast host and TV presenter Richard Osman thinks the search might already be over.
Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Osman shared that insider chatter points directly to Scottish star Jack Lowden.
Most fans know Lowden as the chaotic, disgraced MI5 agent River Cartwright in Apple TV’s hit streaming series Slow Horses. It also helps that the casting director for Slow Horses is overseeing the search for the new Bond.
But long before heading up Slough House, the Scottish actor was proving his range everywhere from period dramas like the BBC’s War & Peace to the stage, where his work in Ghosts scored him an Olivier Award.
According to Osman, "The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden. It is definitely not a ‘he’s definitely got it’ thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing."
Producer Amy Pascal recently hinted on the Spider-Man: Brand New Day press circuit that an official announcement could drop by the end of the year.
Pascal and David Heyman are leading the reboot for Amazon MGM following the departure of Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
With Denis Villeneuve (Dune) directing and a 2027 shoot in mind, the studio is hunting for a younger star (20s–30s) to anchor the franchise long-term.
For reference, Daniel Craig was 37 when he began his run as James Bond in Casino Royale (2005) and 53 when No Time To Die was released in 2021, so that should give you an idea of just how long the next Bond actor could remain in the role.
In addition to Lowden, names like Jacob Elordi (Saltburn, Euphoria), Callum Turner (Eternity, One Night Only), and Harris Dickinson (Baby Girl, The Iron Claw), are currently buzzing near the top of the list.
In addition to Villeneuve's role as director, Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Locke) will write the script.
However, it's expected that once Villeneuve wraps up his filming and promotional obligations on the third Dune film, he'll put all of his focus on Bond and will likely put his own creative stamp on the script.