Cinema VinesAt the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, veteran actor Gary Old Brown—known for his Oscar‑winning performances—publicly voiced his support for fellow “Slow Horses” co‑star Jack Lowden as the next James Bond. Old Brown, who has long been a fan of the spy franchise, clarified that he has no insider knowledge, but he expressed enthusiasm for Lowden’s potential casting.
During the interview, Old Brown explained that he had simply said, “I believe they’ve chosen the guy… and Jack is on the list, fingers crossed for Jack,” before the comment was reported as insider information. He added, “I don’t know any more than you do. There are six candidates. The rumor is that they’ve made their pick, but we don’t know who it is, and they’re waiting to announce it.”
Old Brown praised Lowden’s attributes, describing him as young, masculine, and “incredibly funny,” qualities he believes are essential for the role. He noted Lowden’s Scottish background could serve as a nod to Sean Connery, the franchise’s first Bond, and highlighted the actor’s “tongue‑in‑cheek” style and “twinkle in his eye.” The veteran also remarked that Lowden is a “lovely guy to boot.”
Since Daniel Craig’s final outing in “No Time to Die” (2021), the Bond franchise has seen a change in ownership. Amazon MGM now controls the series and has announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next film, with a screenplay by Steven Knight, creator of “Peaky Blinders.” Knight recently hinted that an actor decision is imminent, citing names such as Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, and Kingsley Ben‑Adir as potential candidates.
Old Brown’s comments come amid swirling rumors that the new Bond has already been selected. While he remains non‑committal, his endorsement of Lowden adds another layer to the speculation, as fans and industry observers await the official announcement.
