Jack Lowden Emerges as Shock Contender in Race to Become Next James Bond

The race to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond has taken a dramatic turn, with bookmakers slashing odds on Scottish actor Jack Lowden after a television personality claimed the star is being 'strongly considered' for the iconic role.

Richard Osman, the former Pointless presenter, told listeners of The Rest Is Entertainment podcast that Lowden, 36, has emerged as a serious candidate to take on the mantle of Britain's most famous fictional spy.

'Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that's happened before,' Osman 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.'

Osman's co-host, Marine Hyde, endorsed the suggestion, noting the Slow Horses actor possesses the right qualities for the part. 'I think Jack Lowden would be an incredible Bond. He's got real Daniel Craig energy,' she added.

Bookmakers React to Flood of Bets

Coral bookmakers have watched Lowden's odds tumble from 10-1 to 5-1 following a surge of wagers. Coral's John Hill said: 'The Bond market has been shaken, not stirred, by a flood of bets for Jack Lowden. He's gone from dark horse to one of the hottest names in the race, and if the interest continues, Callum Turner's grip on top spot could soon be under threat.'

Turner Remains Favourite Despite Denials

Callum Turner, 36, remains the bookmakers' favourite, though he has consistently denied any knowledge of being approached for the role. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Turner insisted: 'I know as much as you do - really, I know as much as you do.'

The actor described the peculiar nature of the speculation: 'I will tell you what's so funny about the Bond thing: Even your best friends ask you, people text you that you haven't spoken to for 10 years - and you know nothing! It is such a weird thing of something happening and nothing happening at all. I genuinely know nothing. I just find it quite amusing.'

Producers Remain Tight-Lipped on Announcement

Producer Amy Pascal told Deadline that an announcement could come by the end of the year, while cautioning that the decision requires careful deliberation. '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,' she said.

For five years, speculation has swirled over who will inherit the Walther PPK and the licence to kill. The choice carries considerable weight, as the Bond franchise remains one of British cinema's most treasured exports, a symbol of national character that has endured for over six decades.

Who Could Be the Next James Bond?

The current frontrunners include Turner and Lowden, both aged 36, which would give the franchise a relatively young Bond capable of anchoring the series for years to come. Other names previously linked to the role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Regé-Jean Page.

When Will the New Bond Be Announced?

Producers have indicated that an announcement is expected by the end of 2026, though they remain characteristically secretive about the process. Pascal's comments suggest that the decision is nearing completion, with the search described as 'really, really methodical.'

The next Bond film will mark a new era for the franchise, following Craig's acclaimed tenure which concluded with No Time to Die in 2021. Whoever assumes the role will be tasked with reinvigorating a series that remains a cornerstone of British cultural identity and a significant contributor to the nation's creative economy.