James Bond Final Contender Has Been Auditioning For 4 Years Thanks To 98% RT Series

Published Oct 23, 2026, 5:46 PM EDT Liz Hersey is an Editor and Critic for ScreenRant's TV team, editing, reviewing, writing, and creating content about the iconic shows you love to watch. She began her editing career at ScreenRant in 2019, shortly after joining the site as a Writer that same year. With a passion for all things books, Liz frequently attends Toronto literary events and conferences, and loves interacting with her book lover community. In addition to being an avid reader of the romance and thriller genres, Liz is a writer of several short stories, and is currently at work on a young adult witch novel. When she's not working, reading, or writing, Liz can be found seeing movies at her local cinema, attending live jazz events, or curling up on the couch to binge her favorite TV shows. You can reach her at liz.h@screenrant.com. The pool of actors in the running to play the next James Bond is shrinking, and one in particular is perfectly suited to the role thanks to his work on an award-winning, critically acclaimed Apple TV series. It's been over five years since No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's final movie as 007, and in that time, fancasting discussions and debates have been endless, with favorites like Idris Elba, Daniel Craig, and Tom Hardy bandied about. However, it looks like a decision will come sooner rather than later. Amazon MGM Studios, which owns the rights to the spy franchise, is reportedly now test-screening their four final James Bond contenders: Jack Lowden, Josh O'Connor, Callum Turner, and another unnamed actor. This will undoubtedly be one of the biggest moments of the chosen actor's career, and the pot is further sweetened by the fact that the next 007 movie will have the creative dream team of director Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049) and writer Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). While O'Connor and Turner certainly have their merits, Lowden has the obvious edge, and it's all because of Slow Horses. Slow Horses Has Been Like A 36-Episode Audition For The James Bond Role Premiering in 2022, the Emmy-winning Slow Horses has six seasons under its belt, a 98% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, and is perhaps the most popular spy show on TV today. There really couldn't be a better James Bond audition than that. Jack Lowden plays River Cartwright in the Slow Horses cast. Grandson of the high-ranking MI5 agent David Cartwright, River is a spy prodigy who craves Bond-level intrigue and thrills but is stuck in the bureaucratic drudgery of Slough House, the dumping ground for disgraced agents. River lacks 007's characteristic suaveness— it's a recurring Slow Horses gag that he's almost always running—but he has a dogged commitment to getting the job done that rivals the iconic spy Ian Fleming created. Across Slow Horses' 36 episodes, Lowden has played River as a working-class James Bond, making him perfect for the role as the silver-screen hero. Not only that, but — spoilers — based on Slow Horses season 6's shocking finale, it appears that River may not be a big part of the show any longer, freeing Lowden up to save the world and enjoy a shaken-not-stirred martini. Why Lowden Is The Right Choice For Bond Image: Apple TV Traditionally, previous James Bond actors took up the mantle when they were established, recognizable faces, but not so famous that they were household names with established brands. Right now, Jack Lowden is in that James Bond sweet spot: he's built a solid career foundation in respected titles like Slow Horses and Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, but he's still at a point where he can be molded into 007. The same could also be said for Josh O'Connor and Callum Turner, but they lack Lowden's experience in the spy genre. O'Connor is better known for his prestige drama roles in movies and shows like Challengers and The Crown, while Turner's wheelhouse is that of a romantic leading man, as seen in Emma and One Night Only. That's not to negate their performances, but these works don't exactly serve as the kind of Bond audition that Slow Horses does for Lowden. If that's not enough, Gary Oldman publicly endorsed Lowden for James Bond, saying of his Slow Horses co-star, "It’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist. 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." That's a huge vote of confidence, and it's wholeheartedly in keeping with the spirit of James Bond. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but betting folks should put their money on Jack Lowden. Genres Action Created by Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli First Film Dr. No Latest Film No Time to Die Upcoming Films James Bond 26 First TV Show Fleming: The Man Who Would be Bond The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond's mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre. Slow Horses Release Date April 1, 2022 Network Apple TV+ Slow Horses is an adaptation of CWA Gold Dagger Award-winning "Slow Horses" novels, which follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 – Slough House. Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, the brilliant but irascible leader of the spies who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes.