The Scottish star of Slow Horses has said he is “flattered” by speculation he could be the next 007.

Jack Lowdon, who spent his childhood in the Scottish Borders growing up in Oxton, is thought to be in the running for the iconic role of James Bond.

Best known for his film roles in Dunkirk and Mary Queen Of Scots, and starring in TV’s War and Peace and as River Cartwright in the espionage drama Slow Horses, the award-winning actor has won a Bafta and a Laurence Olivier Award and been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

He is next starring in Dolly Alderton’s adaptation of Pride And Prejudice.

Dune’s Denis Villeneuve will direct the next Bond film with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight on scriptwriting duties. 

Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor are also in the running to replace Daniel Craig who starred in five James Bond films debuting with Casino Royale in 2006 before his final flick, 2021’s No Time To Die. 

Speaking to GQ Hype, 36-year-old Lowden touched on the speculation but kept whether he had auditioned or not close to his chest.

“On this… it’s all very flattering,” he said.

“It’s nice to be mentioned – for any role – and I’m just not really going to add to the noise,” he said.

His Slow Horses co-star Gary Oldman recently claimed that James Bond producers had selected an actor from a shortlist saying that he “hoped” it was Lowden.

Speaking to Canada’s Global, Oldman said: “It’s been rumoured that he’s on the shortlist. We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him.

“They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.”

In response, Lowden called Oldman “a sweetheart”, saying: “It’s very nice, and Gary’s a sweetheart – it’s particularly lovely, coming from someone like him. But I don’t really listen to it.

“As a young male actor, generally, the minute you’re not playing a zany artist type, the minute you’re in a suit, people fling it at you.”

A casting announcement for the next Bond film is expected by the end of the year.