Jack Lowden has been tipped to be the new James Bond (Image: Samir Hussein, WireImagevia Getty Images)
Jack Lowden is a celebrated Scottish actor and producer.
He’s most recognised for his prize-winning stage work, his breakthrough part in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, and his Emmy-nominated turn as MI5 operative River Cartwright in Apple TV+’s popular espionage drama Slow Horses.
The 36-year-old performer has carved out a reputation as one of Britain’s most adaptable talents spanning theatre, television, and cinema.
He’s also lately surfaced as a leading contender rumoured to take on the legendary mantle of James Bond.
Here we examine his journey from his professional achievements to his personal life.
Early life and background
Lowden was born on June 2, 1990, in Chelmsford, Essex, but grew up in the village of Oxton in the Scottish Borders.
He was raised with his younger sibling, Calum, who subsequently became a principal ballet dancer for the Royal Swedish Ballet.
Lowden enrolled with the Scottish Youth Theatre in Edinburgh aged 10. He subsequently studied at the esteemed Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama), completing his training in 2011.
Career highlights
Lowden’s professional journey encompasses remarkable triumphs across theatre, major motion pictures, and prominent television parts.
He garnered considerable critical recognition from an early stage, securing the Laurence Olivier Award and the Ian Charleson Award in 2014 for his portrayal of Oswald in Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts. His breakthrough on the world stage arrived in 2017 when he portrayed RAF fighter pilot Collins in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning WWII blockbuster Dunkirk.
He has also appeared as Morrissey in England is Mine (2017) and poet Siegfried Sassoon in Benediction (2021).
Lowden has earned numerous Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his role alongside Gary Oldman in the highly regarded espionage thriller Slow Horses.
Away from acting, he co-established the production company Arcade Pictures. He served as producer on the critically praised film adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir, The Outrun (2024), which starred his wife Saoirse Ronan.
Current and upcoming projects
Lowden is due to portray the legendary Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy in Netflix’s star-studded 2026 six-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, appearing opposite Emma Corrin.
He is also presently filming a lead role as police officer Bernie Gunther in Apple TV+’s forthcoming crime thriller series Berlin Noir, alongside Colin Firth.
The actor wed his long-standing partner, actress Saoirse Ronan back in July 2024 (Image: Duncan McGlynn, Getty Images)
Personal life
In July 2024, Lowden wed his long-standing partner, four-time Oscar-nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. The pair first met on the set of Mary Queen of Scots in 2018, where they played husband and wife on screen.
The couple welcomed their first child in 2025, though they have yet to publicly disclose the name or gender. A vocal advocate of Scottish independence, he lives in the Scottish Borders.
He is also an avid football enthusiast, backing his local side Broxburn Athletic FC.
Social media presence
Lowden maintains an active presence on Instagram through his account and has currently posted over 460 updates for his 257,000 followers.
The actor employs his platform as a mixture of professional updates, artistic content, and regional activism. His feed generally concentrates on backstage content from his acting work, material about Scottish regional causes and neighbourhood matters, and creative and cinematic imagery.
Lowden also periodically shares news on ventures featuring his wife, Saoirse Ronan, especially the films they jointly produce under their company Arcade Pictures, such as The Outrun.
James Bond speculation
Lowden has recently emerged as a leading contender to portray James Bond after media figure Richard Osman suggested he possesses inside information that the actor is being “strongly considered” for the legendary 007 part.
In the wake of these remarks, leading bookmakers like William Hill cut Lowden’s odds from 6/1 to a 5/4 favourite, triggering widespread conjecture throughout the entertainment world.
Lowden is already a widely admired figure in the espionage genre, which considerably bolsters his credentials for the part. The hunt for Daniel Craig‘s replacement has been underway since 2021’s No Time to Die.
Franchise producers and Amazon MGM Studios are said to be adopting a meticulously calculated strategy to reimagine the character.
While other prominent contenders such as Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Henry Cavill continue to feature prominently in bookmakers’ odds, Lowden’s unexpected surge has entirely transformed the discussion.
Producers have previously suggested that an official casting reveal could materialise before the conclusion of 2026, with Dune director Denis Villeneuve poised to direct the forthcoming chapter.
