Helen Mirren Critiques James Bond, Advocates for Real Stories of Female Spies

LONDON, United Kingdom — Dame Helen Mirren has publicly criticized the James Bond franchise, describing it as “drenched and born out of profound sexism,” during promotional activities for her new series, MobLand, set to debut on Paramount+ on March 30.

In an interview with The Evening Standard, the 79-year-old Oscar-winning actress expressed her sentiments toward the iconic spy series, stating, “I was never a great ward (of Bond). The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t.” She added her disapproval of the franchise’s depiction of women, further emphasizing, “I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.”

During the interview, Mirren shared her admiration for former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who stars alongside her in MobLand. She called him “gorgeous” and noted he is “one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with.” Additionally, Mirren praised Daniel Craig, another former Bond actor, as “a very lovely gracious person.”

However, Mirren firmly rejected the notion of a female actor stepping into the role of Bond, which some have suggested as a potential solution to the franchise’s historically sexist narrative. Instead, she advocated for telling authentic stories of women in espionage, reflecting on their crucial contributions, especially in historical contexts like the French Resistance during World War II. “Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service… If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous,” she stated.

The future of the Bond franchise remains uncertain as Amazon Studios takes over its creative direction from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Despite the changes, the conglomerate confirmed that both Broccoli and Wilson will remain at the helm for the upcoming installment, amid ongoing speculation about potential new casting decisions for the iconic role.

Mirren’s comments come at a time when the conversation around gender representation in legacy franchises is intensifying. She underscored the importance of authenticity in storytelling, noting the wealth of historical female figures whose lives could inspire compelling narratives.

In the backdrop of this dissent, Brosnan, who portrayed 007 in four films from 1995-2002, recently commented on the speculation surrounding a return to the role, stating, “No one’s spoken to me about it. I’ve heard all of the rumours. Listen, they know where to find me. Let’s see where the wind takes us.” He also clarified that he’s not interested in reprising the role, emphasizing, “It’s going to be another man’s job. I’m quite happy with my career.”

As the search for Craig’s successor continues, bookmakers currently favor actor Jack Lowden for the role of the next James Bond, further fueling the anticipation surrounding the franchise’s evolution under new leadership.