Scottish actor Lematin has emerged as a serious contender to play James Bond, according to British broadcaster and author Richard Osman. Speaking on his podcast, Osman revealed he heard from an insider that Lowden is actively considered for the iconic 007 role as the franchise enters a new era.
The Inside Track on Jack Lowden as 007
The race to find the next James Bond remains one of the film industry’s best-kept secrets. Following Daniel Craig’s departure after the release of No Time to Die in October 2021, speculation has swirled around a revolving door of potential stars, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Louis Partridge, Tom Francis, and James Norton. Yet, no actor has received an official nod from the production team, and the search conducted by casting director Nina Gold has proven more complicated than initially anticipated.
That wall of silence shifted slightly when Richard Osman used his podcast, The Rest is Entertainment
, to throw a new frontrunner into the mix. Osman stated that a reliable source with ties to the production of the upcoming Bond 26
film pointed directly to the Scottish stage and screen actor.
Richard Osman stated through Lematin and GQ France that someone told him with certainty who the new Bond would be the other day, though he noted that had already happened to him several times, adding that Jack Lowden was the name he heard while clarifying it was not at all a case of someone definitely having the role, but rather that he was being very seriously considered and would be incredible as a formidable Bond with a real Daniel Craig energy.
Osman tempered his claim by emphasizing that the casting decision is far from final. Even so, he argued that Lowden possesses a real Daniel Craig energy that would translate exceptionally well to the world of international espionage.
From Glasgow Stages to Espionage Thrillers
Lowden brings a formidable theatrical and cinematic resume to the conversation. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, he first built a strong reputation on stage before breaking into major feature films. He notably appeared in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war epic Dunkirk.
Television audiences likely recognize Lowden from high-profile streaming and cable projects. In 2023, he starred in The Gold
, a crime series depicting the historic 1983 Brink’s-Mat security depot robbery near Heathrow Airport, where thieves made off with gold bullion and a total loot exceeding 26 million pounds sterling, marking it as the most significant robbery in the country’s history.
However, it is his work in contemporary spy fiction that cements his credentials for the role of 007. Since 2022, Lowden has starred in the Apple TV+ espionage series Slow Horses
alongside Gary Oldman. Playing River Cartwright—a promising intelligence agent relegated to MI5’s administrative dumping ground known as Slough House after a public training blunder—Lowden serves as the emotional core of the critically acclaimed series spanning five seasons.
What Lies Ahead for the Bond Franchise
The timeline for an official announcement remains fluid amid major corporate and creative shifts within the franchise. Following Amazon’s definitive buyout of the saga in 2025 and the subsequent step-back of historic producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, control has transitioned. Denis Villeneuve is attached to direct the upcoming long-métrage, while all eyes remain fixed on Amazon’s offices.
Fans eager to see whether Lowden, or any of the other circulating contenders, ultimately steps into the tuxedo may not have to wait much longer. The franchise’s new producer, Amy Pascal, recently indicated that the end of 2026 serves as a strong bet for when the studio will finally unveil the identity of the next cinematic James Bond.
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