TORONTO, Sept 12 — British actor Gary Oldman today backed his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden to be the new James Bond, as rumors swirl that the next 007 has been cast.

The veteran performer had caused a stir over the weekend when he appeared to suggest that Lowden had it in the bag.

But yesterday, he told reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival that he didn’t have the inside track on one of the most eagerly awaited casting decisions of the decade, but was definitely rooting for his colleague.

“I simply said: ‘Well, I believe that they’ve chosen the guy... and Jack is on the list,’ and I said: ‘Fingers crossed for Jack’, and then that was reported that I had some inside information,” Oldman said.

“I don’t know any more than you do. There’s 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.”

Still, said Oldman, the 36-year-old Lowden would be a great choice to fill a role previously occupied by Daniel Craig, Roger Moore and Sean Connery, amongst others.

“Jack is... young, he’s masculine, he’s incredibly funny, which I think is important,” the Oscar winner said.

Lowden is also Scottish, which might work in his favor, said Oldman, adding it was “a nod to Sean Connery” that might chime with producers carrying the weight of a franchise rich in history.

“Part of the recipe for Bond, he’s got to have his sort of tongue in his cheek slightly, and a twinkle in his eye, and Jack Lowden has those qualities.

“And he’s a lovely guy to boot,” said the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy star.

The most recent outing for 007 was No Time to Die—Craig’s last turn as the super spy—way back in 2021.

Since then, Amazon MGM has acquired creative control of the franchise, announcing the new installment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders.

Knight recently hinted that a decision on an actor was imminent, with stars including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi and Kingsley Ben-Adir all previously linked with the role.

A joy

Oldman has worked with Lowden since the start of Slow Horses, the sixth season of which hits Apple TV next week.

New challenges await the dishevelled Agent Jack Lamb (Oldham) and his young protege, River Cartwright (Lowden), in the series about outcasts from Britain’s domestic spy services, based on the books by British author Mick Herron.

Oldman said it was a pleasure to be part of a cast that has real connections.

“We’ve been together since day one... and we all get on,” he said, describing how much he misses his colleagues in between seasons.

“As we get closer to coming back to do the show, often I’m quite excited to just get on the plane and get to see the gang.”

Playing Lamb—known for his threadbare socks, love of greasy food, and unkempt hair—“has been a joy,” but noted that the question his colleagues hear most often is whether he smells bad.

“And I don’t!” he laughed.

The show began filming during the Covid pandemic era, and already has a seventh season lined up.

Oldman said there appeared to be no end in sight.

“There’s no regrets to doing a show this long, and as long as Apple keep us on the air, we’ll see what happens in the future.

“But I’ve loved—absolutely adored—doing it.” — AFP