Richard Osman has revealed the actor he's "heard" is being "strongly considered" for the coveted role of James Bond. It has been four years since long-serving 007 star Daniel Craig made his farewell appearance as the debonair MI6 spy in 2021's No Time to Die, and the search for his successor is now well and truly under way.
Seven actors have portrayed Bond
Seven actors have portrayed James Bond throughout the franchise's history, from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan. Auditions are currently ongoing, with producer Amy Pascal suggesting an announcement could come as soon as the end of this year.
Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director behind Dune and Blade Runner 2049, has been appointed to helm the newest instalment. The list of potential Bonds has reportedly been whittled down to a shortlist that Deadline suggests could range from "five to seven" candidates to a figure "in the teens".
Among the names reportedly in contention are Frankenstein's Jacob Elordi, Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner, West End star Tom Francis and Nosferatu's Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Osman's pick for 007
Pop culture enthusiast Richard Osman, however, has put forward a name he claims is being "strongly" considered for the role. Speaking to fellow host Marina Hyde on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, he confessed he believes the actor would be "amazing".
He said: "The name I've heard is Jack Lowden. It is definitively not a 'he's definitely got it' thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he'd be amazing."
Known for portraying MI5 operative River Cartwright in the Apple TV spy thriller Slow Horses, Jack certainly has the credentials. He also takes on the role of Mr Darcy in Netflix's forthcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Should he be chosen, he would become the first Scottish actor to portray Bond since Sean Connery, whose final outing came in 1983's Never Say Never Again. Connery appeared in seven 007 films in total, beginning with 1962's Dr No.
Announcement expected soon
Amy suggests it is a "good bet" that the new actor will be announced before the year is out. She told Deadline: "I would say the end of the year is a good bet. We are being really, really methodical.
"Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it's got to be something really different that is a stirring and exciting and different."
Amazon has acquired the rights to the franchise from Bond custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, and is understood to be targeting a production start in 2027.
Its film and television division, Amazon MGM Studios, issued a statement earlier this year. It 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."
Handling writing duties is Steven Knight, recognised for his work on the British crime drama Peaky Blinders. He told Today on BBC Radio 4 that he was unable to divulge much about his involvement in the closely guarded project, but was "loving it".
