Helen Mirren Insists “James Bond Is a Bloke” Amid Gender Debate
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Dame Helen Mirren has weighed in on the long-running debate over the future of James Bond, firmly declaring that 007 should remain male.
Speaking ahead of the release of her new film The Thursday Night Murder Club, the 80-year-old actress told the Daily Star Sunday that, while there is room for strong female-led spy stories, the identity of Ian Fleming’s iconic creation should remain intact.
“No, it wouldn’t work,” she said when asked if it was time for a female Bond. “There have been some amazing women who’ve worked in the secret services with incredible courage, but James Bond is a bloke. There’s room for a great movie about a great female agent, but James Bond is James Bond.”
The 007 Question
The future of the franchise has been a hot topic since Daniel Craig stepped down following No Time To Die in 2021. That film introduced Lashana Lynch as the first woman to inherit the 007 designation, sparking speculation that the series could take a new direction.
With Amazon MGM Studios taking control of the franchise in a £770 million deal earlier this year, producers have confirmed that a new instalment is in development. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is set to direct.
Brosnan Joins the Chorus
Mirren’s comments echo those of Pierce Brosnan, 72, who portrayed Bond across four films between 1995 and 2002. In a recent interview with Saga magazine, Brosnan said:
“Oh, I think it has to be a man. I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character.”
He added: “I adore the world of James Bond. It’s been very good to me. It’s the gift that keeps giving. And I’m just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: ‘Show us what you’re going to do’.”
The Irish actor’s stance represents a shift from 2019, when he described the idea of a female Bond as “exciting” and “exhilarating.”
Who’s Next?
Speculation over the next actor to don the tuxedo continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, has emerged as a frontrunner, while Idris Elba, 51, Theo James, 39, and James Norton, also 39, remain in the mix.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, custodians of the franchise for decades, confirmed earlier this year that they had handed creative control to Amazon MGM Studios—a move that sparked concern among fans about potential “Americanisation” or “woke-ification” of the quintessentially British spy series.
A Defining Legacy
For Mirren, however, the path forward seems clear: Bond’s essence should not be altered. Her remarks reinforce the traditionalist view that the role must stay true to Fleming’s original vision.
With Villeneuve’s next instalment now in the works, audiences are left waiting to see whether the franchise will hold to tradition—or embrace change for its most famous secret agent.
Would you like me to expand this into a longer feature—exploring the cultural debate over gender-swapping iconic characters—or keep it as a concise entertainment news piece focused on Mirren and Brosnan’s comments?
