Helen Mirren Shares Thoughts on James Bond Franchise and Female Representation

Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren has expressed her admiration for the actors who have portrayed the iconic character of James Bond, though she harbors reservations about the film franchise itself. Recent discussions have centered around the influence of Amazon MGM Studios, which now holds creative control over the beloved series.

In a recent interview with The Standard, Mirren spoke about her role in the new series MobLand, where she plays the wife of former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan. While she is a self-proclaimed “massive fan”of Brosnan and admires his performance, her sentiments about the James Bond franchise are less enthusiastic.

“I have to say I was never a great ward (of Bond),” Mirren admitted. “I’m a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan, I mean massive fan. I mean, oh my god. 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” .

Despite her admiration for individual actors, Mirren candidly addressed her dislike for the overarching themes of the Bond series. She stated:

“It really wasn’t,” she added. “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.”

Looking towards the future of the franchise, which remains uncertain under the new Amazon MGM management, Mirren expressed her belief in exploring stories about women in espionage rather than a female James Bond. The actress highlighted historical contributions of women in intelligence, particularly during conflicts, advocating for narratives that celebrate their bravery and achievements.

“Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been,” the 1923 star noted. “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” .

This discourse comes on the heels of an announcement in February regarding the formation of a joint venture by Amazon MGM Studios to oversee the James Bond intellectual property. While the future direction of the franchise remains a topic of speculation, original producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli continue to hold co-ownership rights over the property.

For more on Helen Mirren’s insights into the James Bond franchise and her views on female representation in film, you can access the full article here.