Apple TV+’s Slow Horses stars Jack Lowden, an actor who could be a great fit for a different spy franchise. Slow Horses has completely changed the landscape for the arguably tired traditional espionage genre, as the show is a far cry from the slick perfection typical for spy films and TV series. In addition, Slow Horses has assembled a cast of highly talented performers who each bring nuance, depth, and empathy to their characters.

Among the standout performers in Slow Horses‘ cast is Lowden, who plays River Cartwright, one of the rejected MI5 agents relegated to Slough House. Cartwright plays a pivotal role in the series, and Lowden has been praised for his performance. Through his work on the spy show, the actor has proven he’s an excellent candidate to play the most famous spy of all: James Bond.

Slow Horses Proves Jack Lowden Could Be A Great James Bond

Lowden’s Role As River Cartwright Shows What He Would Bring To The James Bond Franchise

With Daniel Craig stepping down from the role, casting is underway for a new lead actor to take on 007. Many actors, including Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, have been floated, and Lowden’s name has come up as well. Based on his layered performance in Slow Horses, Lowden would be an incredible casting choice.

The actor has proven he has the physical abilities, suave charisma, and emotional depth the next Bond desperately needs. At 34 years old, Lowden would bring a renewed youthful energy to 007, but as the Apple TV+ spy series has shown, he similarly brings a savvy, world-weary quality, equally comfortable with high-impact action scenes and dramatic, emotionally resonant moments. Lowden also has a commanding presence, even when paired alongside Slow Horses‘ heavy hitters like Gary Oldman.

While Craig delivered a more brooding take on Bond, casting Lowden would be a great way to develop 007 into a more complex character. This approach would honor the legacy of the James Bond series and refresh the franchise with a contemporary and relatable hero.

Slow Horses Is A Useful Blueprint For Bond 26

The New Bond Film Doesn’t Have To Stick With Tired Tropes

With its fresh take on the spy genre, Slow Horses provides a handy blueprint for Bond 26 to follow so it can remain relevant and exciting. As many have argued, the next Bond needs to re-inject more humor into its narrative. Older iterations of the 007 film series have relied on sly quips and silly puns, but these are not what the next Bond needs.

Although Slow Horses season 3 contains far more action than previous seasons, the series does a great job of balancing action with its gritty realism and dark, irreverent humor. Beyond its humor, however, Bond 26 should also take a leaf out of the Slow Horses playbook by developing more flawed, nuanced, and multidimensional characters. As a whole, the spy genre traditionally relies on stock heroes who are always one step ahead of bland, one-note villains. Slow Horses spins this on its head, and Bond 26 would benefit from a similar approach.