Actor Jack Lowden is reportedly a front-runner to be cast as the next James Bond, with producers said to be "strongly considering" the "Slow Horses" star for the iconic role. Speculation surrounding the successor to Daniel Craig has intensified following Amazon MGM Studios' May announcement that auditions for the part have commenced.
Presenter Richard Osman shared on his podcast "The Rest Is Entertainment" that he had been informed about the likely casting, stating, "The name I've heard is Jack Lowden." He cautioned, however, that while Lowden is "definitely being strongly considered," the decision has not been finalized. "I think he'd be amazing," Osman added.
Osman's co-host Marina Hyde noted that Lowden, at 36, is at a suitable age for the demanding role, which requires an actor capable of undertaking multiple films. Osman further commented that Lowden possesses "real Daniel Craig energy" and is a "brilliant actor" who can handle both action and comedic elements, predicting he would be "sensational."
Lowden, who also appeared in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk," is slated to portray Mr. Darcy in an upcoming Netflix adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." His wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has previously expressed support for his potential casting as Bond. During a 2024 BBC Radio 2 appearance, DJ Edith Bowman mentioned her long-held belief that Lowden would be an excellent choice, to which Ronan humorously responded about counting how many times Bowman promoted him for the role.
The podcast discussion also touched upon public opinion regarding potential Bond actors. Osman and Hyde noted that public selections for the role have historically not aligned with the final casting decisions, citing Daniel Craig's initial reception by the public as an example. Producer Amy Pascal recently stated that the casting process is "very, very methodical," acknowledging the challenge of following Craig's tenure.
In July, casting director Debbie McWilliams, who handled casting for the previous 13 Bond films, expressed her view that the character should remain white and male, emphasizing adherence to Ian Fleming's original creation. McWilliams, who retired before Amazon MGM Studios took creative control of the franchise, noted that she looked for an actor who could credibly portray a "license to kill" and possess a certain "threat." She suggested that the casting of the next Bond might represent a significant shift.
The search for the new 007 is now led by casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve. Amazon MGM Studios has indicated that "exciting 007 news" will be shared in the coming months. The studio confirmed in May that the search was underway and stated, "While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."