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Warning: Spoilers for Season 6 of Slow Horses.
The latest season of Apple TV's Slow Horses has come to an end, and left audiences with an almighty cliffhanger that seems perfectly almost too perfectly timed when it comes to a certain casting decision...
Based on the novels by Mick Herron, the British thriller spy series follows the best of the worst: Slough House's unit of disgraced MI5 agents, who work under the sweary supervision of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman).
The season finale of the show's sixth season aired yesterday and with it came an unexpected turn for one of the show's main cast, River Cartwright, played by Jack Lowden.
The season has been a bloody one, with the death count racking up as the Slow Horses have been targeted by a Russian hit squad, leading to the deaths of fan favourites Struan Loy (Paul Higgins), JK Coe (Tom Brooke) and Emma Flyte (Ruth Bradley). However, the most shocking demise was kept for last, as season regular River was apparently killed off in a shocking last-minute twist.
After surviving assassination attempts throughout the season, River is seen in his grandfather's house about to reunite with his love interest Sid (Olivia Cooke). As he sets up a bottle of wine and two glasses, he suddenly collapses having apparently been posioned by residue on his hands from a crow bar he moved seconds before. Struggling to breathe, he calls out Sid's name and the screen fades to black.
Did they kill off one of the show's main stars, who has been a Slough House mainstay since Season 1 in 2022? Maybe... Those who kept watching for the sneak-peak trailer of Season 7 noticed Lowden's absence and heard Standish (Saskia Reeves) asking Lamb about River, with Lamb sarcastically replying: "I got a postcard. ‘Weather’s lovely in the afterlife. Sunset’s to die for. Love and hugs’”.
Seems final enough, although those familiar with Mick Herron's novels know that River survives his Novichok poisoning, so it’s entirely possible that the character will show up in upcoming seasons.
However, the possible demise of River seems rather convenient considering the upcoming casting announcement of the new James Bond...
Lowden is currently one of the favourites to take over from Daniel Craig as 007, alongside Callum Turner, Jack Barton and Jacob Elordi. If this is it for River in Slow Horses after six seasons, that means the Scottish actor is contractually open and with a free schedule to take on the role of Bond.
This is pure conjecture but the timing does seem rather fortuitous, especially since Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal recently shared that "the end of the year is a good bet" when it comes to the timing of the new actor's announcement.
“I would say the end of the year is a good bet,” said Pascal. “We are being really, really methodical. Having worked with Barbara Broccoli at the studio, I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring and exciting and different.”
Then there was the apparent "leak" in August, when Richard Osman, British TV presenter and author of the best-selling Thursday Murder Club mystery novels, shared on his The Rest Is Entertainment podcast that he had insider knowledge suggesting that Lowden was "strongly considered" to be the next Bond.
Lowden is best known for playing River Cartwright in Slow Horses but has been seen on the big screen in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and Benediction (2021). He will appear later this year as Mr Darcy in Netflix's new adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice".
Earlier this year, Euronews Culture reported that the official casting for Bond was underway and that Lowden would be an ideal candidate for the 007 mantle.
We wrote regarding Lowden: " Spy credentials? Check. Charisma levels? Suit him up. Pre-existing rapport with the casting director? Done. Married to Saoirse Ronan who has previously expressed an interest in being cast as a Bond villain? Make this happen."
So, from MI5 reject to MI6's top agent? Not long to find out.
Bond 26 will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Oscar nominee Denis Villeneuve and is being written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Production is expected to kick off in 2027, with a release planned for 2028.
Slow Horses will return for a seventh series, expected to arrive in autumn 2027.