It’s hard to keep track of just how many supposed frontrunners there have been for the role of James Bond since Daniel Craig stepped down back in 2021 – and it looks like we can add another name to that list.
According to Richard Osman, Slow Horses favourite Jack Lowden could be in line to be the next 007, with the former Pointless host and Thursday Murder Club author suggesting as much on the latest episode of his podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment.
“The name I’ve heard is Jack Lowden,” he said in conversation with co-host Marina Hyde, although he clarified that he didn’t think anything was sealed at this point.
“It is definitively not a ‘he’s definitely got it’ thing,” Osman said. “He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he’d be amazing.”
In recent months, Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi had emerged as the two leading candidates for the role, although those involved in casting have repeatedly made clear that the process is still ongoing.
Last week, producer Amy Pascal predicted that the new actor would finally be announced by the end of the year, telling Deadline that that time frame was “a good bet”.
She added the creative team has been “methodical” in trying to find someone “really different” from previous Bond star Craig.
“Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow,” she said. “And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.”
Amazon MGM Studios had previously announced in June that “the search for the next James Bond is underway”.
A statement read: “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.”
It was confirmed back in 2025 that Denis Villeneuve, who has the release of Dune: Part Three to look forward to at the end of 2026, will be directing the movie, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will pen the script.
During a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4 Today, Knight said of the movie: “I can’t really talk about what I’m doing with Bond but I’m enjoying every single second of it. It’s fantastic. I’m loving it.”
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