Jack Lowden is mysteriously absent as Slow Horses is renewed for eighth season - after co-star Gary Oldman claimed he's the new James Bond

James Bond frontrunner Jack Lowden was mysteriously absent from a post announcing that Slow Horses would be renewed for an eighth season. 

The 36-year-old Scottish actor has been hotly tipped to be cast as the next 007, with producers said to be 'strongly considering' the star for the role.  

His co-star Sir Gary Oldman fuelled rumours when he claimed the actor has already been picked and the public is set to find out soon, adding that he has his fingers crossed for Lowden.

And Lowden was missed off the announcement post confirming season's eight renewal on Tuesday, casting doubt on his return.

Oldman, who was nominated for lead actor in a drama series at the Emmys, is confirmed to be making a return as the grumpy but lovable Jackson Lamb.

The announcement comes just days before the sixth installment is set to premiere on Wednesday. Season seven renewal was confirmed last year. 

Season eight 'sees Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) face off in their most explosive confrontation yet', according to its synopsis. 

'When a botched attempt to blackmail the Park puts Taverner on the offensive, it is up to Lamb to unravel one of MI5's darkest secrets and put an end to it once and for all.' 

Slow Horses continues to charm audiences all around the world and I'm delighted that Jackson Lamb and his gang of lovable misfits will be back for an eighth season,' said Jay Hunt, creative director of international at Apple TV.  

'Their acerbic take on the high-octane world of espionage is completely unique.' 

Oldman, 68, made the claim while talking about his Apple TV+ co-star on Canada’s The Morning Show. 

‘It’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist,’ Oldman told the host. ‘We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him.’

The Oscar-winner clarified: ‘They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet.’

Speculation about who will take over from Craig has been rife for months and recently heightened after Amazon MGM Studios announced in May auditions were finally taking place.

The job of finding the next Bond now falls to casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve.

Presenter Richard Osman has also teased he has been told who is likely to take on the role.

Speaking to his co-host Marina Hyde on the latest episode of his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, Osman said: 'Someone told me for definite who the new Bond is the other day, but I mean that's happened before. The name I've heard is Jack Lowden.'

Richard cautioned: 'It is definitely not a "he's definitely got it" thing. He is definitely being strongly considered. I think he'd be amazing.'

Marina agreed, pointing out that at 36, Lowden is 'a good age. You have to have the longevity. They've got to do at least two movies, and he's a good age for it.'

Osman said the actor has 'real Daniel Craig energy', adding that he 'is such a brilliant actor. Can be funny, can definitely do action. I mean, I think he'd be sensational.'

Lowden, who also had a role in Christopher Nolan's epic Dunkirk, is set to star as another leading man, Mr Darcy in Netflix's anticipated Pride And Prejudice adaptation, coming later this year.

Lowden's wife, the actress Saoirse Ronan, 32, has previously backed her husband for the 007 role.