Helen Mirren is opposed to a female Bond: 'The whole concept of James Bond is drenched in sexism'
The actress said we should instead be telling real stories of women in espionage from history.
Helen Mirren has said that she is opposed to a female James Bond, as the franchise is "born out of profound sexism".
The future of the film series is up in the air after longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson ceded control of the franchise to Amazon MGM last month, with the agreement ending 63 years of Broccoli family creative control over the spy series.
Speaking to The Standard in a new interview, Mirren – who is currently starring in the new Paramount Plus crime series MobLand alongside former James Bond Pierce Brosnan and Bond favourite Tom Hardy – said: "The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.
"The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism."
She continued: "Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service. They always have been. And very brave.
"If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world."
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While Mirren has her opinions on the spy franchise, she was full of praise for Brosnan when speaking to The Standard.
"I’m a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan, I mean massive fan," Mirren shared.
"Obviously, he’s gorgeous and everything. And I think he’s fabulous in MobLand, but he also happens to be one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with.
"And indeed Daniel Craig, who I’ve met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely, gracious person."
Bond star Timothy Dalton previously admitted he was "very, very surprised" by the departure of Broccoli and Wilson.
Dalton, who played the iconic secret agent in two films in 1987 and 1989, told RadioTimes.com: "Barbara is, I think, a fabulous woman and a wonderful producer, as was her father Cubby Broccoli, who I got on with very well and liked a lot. He was a very powerful and strong anchor for the project.
"Nothing went on that he didn't want and it's sad that he's not with us anymore, that's all I can say.
"He was well in charge of the show and that's not so anymore."
Read more:
- Daniel Craig speaks on James Bond franchise news as Amazon takes creative control
- James Bond losing its long-time producers is a huge shift – but what does it mean for 007's future?
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Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
