Kristin Scott Thomas, the British actress who plays MI5 chief Diana Taverner in Apple TV's Slow Horses, has weighed in on the swirling speculation about who will next play James Bond. Her co-star Jack Lowden, who portrays the disgraced agent River Cartwright in the spy thriller, is among the bookmakers' favourites to succeed Daniel Craig.
In an interview with The Times, Scott Thomas was asked about the rumours linking the 36-year-old Scot to the iconic role. Her response was characteristically direct: “Oh God, I wish I knew. He’d be very, very good.” She added, “He’s got that twinkle, he’s cheeky and he’s a very, very good actor.”
Lowden, who is married to Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, has built an impressive résumé beyond Slow Horses, with roles in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and Benediction (2021). Later this year he will appear as Mr Darcy in Netflix's new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Earlier this year, Euronews Culture argued that Lowden was an ideal candidate for 007, citing his spy credentials, charisma, and the fact that his wife has expressed interest in playing a Bond villain. Lowden himself has tried to dampen the speculation, telling GQ: “It’s all very flattering. It’s nice to be mentioned – for any role – and I’m just not really going to add to the noise.” He noted that any young male actor in a suit gets “flung” the Bond question.
However, the casting race appears to be narrowing. Reports suggest that Lowden, along with Callum Turner and Josh O'Connor, have screen-tested for the role. This week, industry insiders have increasingly pointed to Turner, the 35-year-old English actor known for Fantastic Beasts and The Capture, as the likely winner.
Turner was spotted at Bray Studios in Berkshire for a screen test on 30 October, and The Sun reported that he has stepped down as a director of Twentytwo Films Ltd, a production company he founded with his wife, pop star Dua Lipa. The move has been interpreted as a sign that Turner is clearing his schedule for the all-consuming Bond commitment. A source told the tabloid: “Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers.”
While the exact timeline for the announcement remains unclear, Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal said in August that “the end of the year is a good bet” for the official reveal. She stressed the producers are being “really, really methodical,” adding: “Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”
The next Bond film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and will be the first since Amazon took full creative control of the franchise from longtime custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. That shift has already sparked debate about the future direction of the series, with some fans and critics wondering whether the streaming giant will alter the character's essence.
For now, the speculation continues. Whether it's Lowden, Turner, or someone else, the choice will shape the franchise for years to come. As Scott Thomas's endorsement suggests, Lowden has the talent and charm to fill Craig's tuxedo, but the final decision rests with the producers. For more on the contenders, see our analysis of the final shortlist and the hints from the Slow Horses finale.
