Jack Lowden’s James Bond chances just went from a fan theory to a reported shortlist. Several outlets reported in late October 2026 that the Scottish Slow Horses actor was among a handful of finalists called to London for the last round of 007 screen tests.
Nothing is confirmed, and Amazon MGM Studios won’t comment. Here is what was reported, who else is in the room, and what has to happen before anyone gets the tuxedo.
Key takeaways
- On 22 October 2026, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor, plus one or two unnamed actors, would screen test for Bond.
- The tests were reported to take place in London over the weekend of 23 to 25 October 2026, covering stunts, camera presence and dialogue.
- Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell, both widely rumoured, were reportedly not testing.
- Denis Villeneuve directs, Steven Knight writes, and Amy Pascal and David Heyman produce for Amazon MGM.
- Pascal has said an announcement “by the end of the year is a good bet.”
Is Jack Lowden the next James Bond?
Not officially. What exists is a set of trade reports, not a casting announcement. Dark Horizons summarised the original Hollywood Reporter story on 22 October 2026: three named actors and “one or two others” were in the mix for screen tests.
The Irish Examiner, crediting Deadline, reported the same week that the hunt had reached its final stages. The studio’s only public line is that the search is underway and it won’t discuss specifics during casting.
So the honest answer is: Lowden is reportedly one of perhaps five people in the final round. That’s a far better position than a month ago, but it’s still a shortlist.
Who is Jack Lowden?
Lowden is a Scottish actor born in 1990 who came up through theatre before moving to screen. Most viewers know him as River Cartwright, the ambitious, rule-bending spy in Apple TV’s Slow Horses.
His film work includes Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, the wrestling comedy Fighting with My Family and Terence Davies’ Benediction, where he played the war poet Siegfried Sassoon. He is married to actor Saoirse Ronan.
Think of Slow Horses as a years-long audition tape. Producers have already watched him run, fight and deliver dry lines inside the British intelligence world, which is roughly the job description.
How do the three named finalists compare?
| Actor | Best-known recent work | What he brings |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Lowden | Slow Horses | Proven spy-genre action and a Scottish link to Sean Connery’s Bond |
| Callum Turner | One Night Only, Masters of the Air | Tall, classic leading-man look; long rumoured for the part |
| Josh O’Connor | The Crown, Disclosure Day | Character-actor depth and awards credibility |
The remaining finalist or two have not been named in any report we could verify.
What actually happens in a Bond screen test?
A screen test is a filmed audition: the actor performs scripted scenes on camera so the director and producers can see how he reads on screen, not just in a room. According to the reports, these Bond tests covered three things: stunts, camera presence and dialogue.
There is precedent. Before Casino Royale, the final round reportedly came down to Daniel Craig, Henry Cavill and Sam Worthington. Craig won and played Bond from 2006 to No Time to Die in 2021.
Who is making the next Bond film?
Amazon MGM Studios now controls the creative side of the franchise. Dune director Denis Villeneuve was announced as director in June 2025, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight was confirmed as writer the following month, as Popverse reported. Amy Pascal and David Heyman produce.
The film is untitled and usually called Bond 26. Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three is set for release on 18 December 2026, which is one reason casting has moved at this pace.
Why is everyone searching for Jack Lowden and James Bond?
Because the shortlist went public in one burst. Within days, coverage ran from CBC to an AP video on Yahoo News Canada that named Lowden, Turner and O’Connor as the three actors tipped to succeed Craig.
My opinion: Lowden is the most interesting choice of the three. He has already sold audiences on a flawed young spy, and a Bond who is still learning the job fits a franchise that needs a reset.
What happens next
- Decision: Villeneuve and the producers review the test footage. No date for a decision has been announced.
- Announcement: Pascal’s “end of the year” comment points to late 2026, but the studio has made no promise.
- Production: Reports point to filming in 2027 and a release around 2028. Neither date is official.
Until Amazon MGM names someone, treat every “he’s got it” headline with caution. Shortlists leak; final decisions usually arrive with a press release.
FAQ
Has Jack Lowden been cast as James Bond?
No. As of 27 October 2026 he is only reported to be one of the finalists who screen tested in London. Amazon MGM has not announced anyone.
Who else is in the running?
Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor are the other named finalists, with one or two more unnamed. Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell were reportedly not testing.
When will the new Bond be announced?
There is no official date. Producer Amy Pascal said an announcement by the end of 2026 is “a good bet.”
Want a head start? Watch Slow Horses and judge Lowden’s spy credentials for yourself before the studio decides. If you like film-making stories, read how an animated film is made next.
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