Jack Lowden’s Absence From ‘Slow Horses’ Season 8 Announcement Sparks James Bond Speculation

Laura Bais
Jack Lowden slow horses
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The quest for the next James Bond has become one of Hollywood’s most scrutinized casting enigmas, especially since Daniel Craig departed the role after 2021’s ‘No Time to Die.’ Over the years, various names have surfaced in the rumor mill, but one actor has recently emerged as a frontrunner, capturing significant attention.

That actor is Jack Lowden, the Scottish talent recognized for his portrayal of River Cartwright in Apple TV’s ‘Slow Horses.’ Lowden has been generating buzz around the 007 role for weeks, largely due to hints dropped by his co-stars during interviews.

A new detail has intensified the speculation. Apple has officially announced that ‘Slow Horses’ will return for an eighth season, but notably, Lowden was absent from the announcement, which only mentioned Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb and Kristin Scott Thomas’s Diana Taverner.

The upcoming season, based on Mick Herron’s novel ‘Clown Town,’ will focus on a dramatic clash between Lamb and Taverner after a failed blackmail attempt forces Taverner to go on the offensive, compelling Lamb to uncover one of MI5’s darkest secrets. The returning cast includes Saskia Reeves, Christopher Cho, Rosalind Eleazar, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Tom Brooke, and Jonathan Pryce.

Lowden’s absence from the press materials has sparked fresh theories among fans and media about whether he might be leaving the series to pursue a different kind of spy role.

Screenshot 2026 06 11 at 16 41 20 Slow Horses Rotten Tomatoes

Much of the current excitement stems from comments made by Oldman to Canada’s Global News, where he hinted that a Bond decision might already be made. “It’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist,” Oldman said of Lowden. “We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Oldman later clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted, stating to Deadline that he did not possess insider knowledge. Nevertheless, the excitement had already taken hold, with castmate James Callis further fueling speculation by sharing a photo of Lowden on Instagram with the caption “My word is my bond.”

Adam Randall, who directed the latest season of ‘Slow Horses,’ shared his thoughts on Lowden’s potential as Bond, without confirming any casting news. He mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter that after observing six seasons of the show, Lowden’s knack for blending humor with serious moments would make him “pretty perfect” for the role, likening it to Roger Moore’s lighter interpretation of the character compared to the tougher styles of Sean Connery or Daniel Craig.

Lowden is not the only contender in the running, however. Other actors reportedly on the shortlist include Callum Turner, Jack O’Connell, Jacob Elordi, Tom Francis, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal, and Jack Barton, with the new film being directed by Denis Villeneuve, whose involvement has raised expectations for something unique.

‘Slow Horses’ Season 6 premiered on September 16, and production for Season 7 is already in progress, meaning any shift away from the show wouldn’t happen immediately, even if Lowden secures the Bond role. For now, Amazon MGM Studios has not officially confirmed who will next take on the iconic 007 role, leaving fans to scrutinize every cast interview and press release for hints.

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