Actor Gary Oldman has suggested that his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden has already been chosen as the next James Bond, though the announcement has yet to be made. Speaking on Canadian television, the Oscar winner said producers had "made their choice, but they have not announced it yet," adding that he had his "fingers crossed" for the Scottish actor. The comments add weight to months of speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the role.

Lowden, who grew up in Oxton in the Scottish Borders, has been widely tipped as the front-runner after Amazon MGM Studios confirmed in May that auditions were under way, led by director Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold. Broadcaster Richard Osman previously said he had been told "for definite" that Lowden was the pick, praising his "real Daniel Craig energy" and versatility, while stressing nothing was yet confirmed. Lowden, known for Dunkirk and Slow Horses, is also set to play Mr Darcy in Netflix's upcoming Pride And Prejudice, and his wife, actress Saoirse Ronan, has previously backed him for the Bond role.