It has been almost 40 years since he was last played by an Edinburgh actor, but could the next James Bond be dispatched on her majesty’s secret service from the capital?
Leith-based actor Jack Lowden has seen his odds of becoming the nation’s most notorious spy slashed in recent days as rumours swirl over the next man to pick up the mantle after Daniel Craig.
Not since Sean Connery reprised his role as 007 in 1983’s ‘Never Say Never Again’ has Bond - who was educated at Fettes College in Ian Fleming’s novels - been portrayed by an Edinburgh man.
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However, Dunkirk star Lowden is now in with an outside chance in the face of tough competition from the likes of Idris Elba, Henry Cavill and current frontrunner Regé-Jean Page.
Fellow Scots Sam Heughan and Richard Madden are also rumoured to be under consideration for the follow up to 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’ - the final outing for Craig’s Bond.
Born in England and brought up in the Borders, Lowden cut his acting teeth in the capital following a brief flirtation with ballet alongside brother Callum at the Manor School.
He later joined the Scottish Youth Theatre and took on the role of John in the King’s Theatre pantomime production of Peter Pan at the age of 12.
He landed a major role as RAF pilot Collins in Christopher Nolan’s war epic, but a varied acting resume also boasts parts as the star of an Irn Bru advert based on High School Musical, former Smiths frontman Morrissey in England is Mine, a professional wrestler in ‘Fighting with my Family,’ and Mary Queen of Scots’ husband Lord Darnley in the historical biopic - where he met current partner and fellow actor Saoirse Ronan.
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A spokesman for bookmaker William Hill said: “Although he may be lesser-known than some of the other names in the market, Jack Lowden is a good fit for 007 thanks to his Scottish connection, which could see him pick up where Sean Connery left off.
“And with producers confirming that they’re heading in a slightly different direction for the next casting, actors that see market shifts like Lowden could be a sign of where things are going.”
Lowden is currently placed at 28-1, with Madden at 8-1 and Heughan at 16-1.
