Scottish actor Jack Lowden is the new favorite to play James Bond.

Scottish actor Jack Lowden has emerged as a leading contender for the role of James Bond after bookmakers sharply reduced his odds, signaling growing interest in the 36-year-old as the potential successor to Daniel Craig. Known for his portrayal of an MI5 agent in the spy series Slow Horses and his performance as a pilot in Christopher Nolan’s war epic Dunkirk, Lowden now stands among the top candidates for the iconic 007 role, according to reports from Express.co.uk. Born on June 2, 1990, in Chelmsford, England, Lowden grew up in the Scottish village of Oxton. He began attending the Scottish Youth Theatre at age ten and later studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2011. His professional career started on stage, where he earned critical acclaim for roles such as in Ibsen's Peer Gynt, winning both the Laurence Olivier Award and the Ian Charleson Award for his performances. His breakthrough into mainstream cinema came with his role as pilot Collins in Dunkirk (2017). Since then, he has appeared in a variety of projects, including portraying musician Morrissey in the biographical film England Is Mine and poet Siegfried Sassoon in the drama Benediction. In Slow Horses, where he co-stars with Gary Oldman, Lowden received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his portrayal of River Cartwright. Beyond acting, he is also active in production, serving as a co-founder of the production company Arcade Pictures. He produced the 2024 film The Outrun, starring his wife, Saoirse Ronan. Lowden is currently filming for Apple TV+'s crime series Berlin Noir and will soon appear as Mr. Darcy in Netflix’s new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. He married Irish actress Saoirse Ronan in August 2024. The couple met while filming Mary Queen of Scots in 2018, where Ronan played Mary, Queen of Scots, and Lowden portrayed her husband, Henry Darnley. They have kept their personal life largely private, though Ronan confirmed in 2025 that she is expecting their first child. Later that year, they were spotted pushing a baby stroller, suggesting the arrival of their child is imminent. Lowden has previously expressed support for Scottish independence and is known as a supporter of the Scottish football club Broxburn Athletic. Speculation about Lowden taking over as Bond intensified after television presenter Richard Osman mentioned hearing that the actor was being seriously considered for the role. Speaking on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, Osman noted that while this does not confirm Lowden has been cast, it indicates he is among the serious contenders. He praised Lowden’s energy, saying it reminded him of Daniel Craig and that he would make an excellent Bond. Following Osman’s comments, Lowden’s odds at betting firms dropped significantly, placing him among the main favorites for the role. His experience in the spy genre, particularly through Slow Horses, has fueled discussions about whether he could become the new 007. The search for Craig’s replacement has been ongoing since the actor stepped down from the role in No Time to Die (2021). Official casting for the new Bond has begun, although Amazon MGM has not disclosed specific details or commented on individual names. Other actors who have recently been mentioned include Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Jacob Elordi, but none have been officially confirmed. According to current information, the choice of the new Bond could be announced by the end of 2026. The upcoming Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for Blade Runner 2049 and Dune, who has already been officially confirmed as director. The screenplay is being written by Steven Knight, best known for creating the series Peaky Blinders.