The renewal of the Apple TV+ series "Slow Horses" for an eighth season has been overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of Jack Lowden from the announcement, intensifying speculation about his potential role as the next James Bond.
Lowden, a 36-year-old Scottish actor, has been widely reported as a frontrunner for the coveted 007 role, with sources suggesting producers are "strongly considering" him. These rumors were further amplified by his "Slow Horses" co-star, Sir Gary Oldman, who claimed that the next Bond has already been chosen and an announcement is imminent. Oldman expressed his support for Lowden, stating he has his fingers crossed for the actor.
The announcement of "Slow Horses" season eight, made on Tuesday, confirmed the return of Oldman as Jackson Lamb and Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner. The synopsis for the new season describes an "explosive confrontation" between their characters, involving an attempt to blackmail "the Park" and Lamb's efforts to uncover MI5's secrets. However, Lowden was not mentioned in the promotional materials for the upcoming season, leading to questions about his involvement.
Jay Hunt, creative director of international at Apple TV, expressed enthusiasm for the "Slow Horses" renewal, highlighting the series' unique take on espionage and its broad appeal. "Slow Horses continues to charm audiences all around the world and I'm delighted that Jackson Lamb and his gang of lovable misfits will be back for an eighth season," Hunt stated.
Oldman's comments regarding Lowden's potential Bond casting were made during an appearance on Canada's "The Morning Show." He elaborated that while Lowden is on the shortlist and has been chosen, the official announcement has yet to be made. The search for a successor to Daniel Craig, who last appeared as Bond in "No Time to Die" in 2021, has been ongoing for months. Auditions were reportedly taking place in May, with casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve overseeing the selection process.
Further fueling the speculation, presenter Richard Osman has also indicated he has been informed of the likely next Bond, naming Jack Lowden. Osman described Lowden as being "definitely being strongly considered" and praised his potential for the role, noting his "real Daniel Craig energy" and suitability for action, comedy, and dramatic performances. He suggested that at 36, Lowden possesses the necessary longevity for a multi-film tenure as the iconic spy.
Lowden, who also appeared in Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk," is slated to star as Mr. Darcy in an upcoming Netflix adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." His wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has previously voiced her support for his potential casting as James Bond.