Why Helen Mirren Says She “Never Liked” the James Bond Franchise

Helen Mirren admires the actors portraying 007, yet it’s not necessarily the James Bond series that she finds appealing.

In a recent interview with The Standard, the actress who plays Pierce Brosnan’s wife in their new show “MobLand,” was asked for her opinion about Amazon MGM Studios assuming creative control of the James Bond movie series.

Mirren openly confessed that she wasn’t particularly fond of playing Bond’s secretary (ward), but made it clear that she adores Pierce Brosnan as an actor. She expressed her admiration by saying he’s not just good-looking, but also fantastic in ‘MobLand’. Moreover, she mentioned that he’s one of the kindest individuals she’s worked with. Similarly, she spoke highly of Daniel Craig, whom she has met and knows a bit. Once more, she praised him as a very considerate and gracious person.”

Or simply:

“Mirren admitted she didn’t enjoy being Bond’s secretary, but loves Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig as actors, praising them for their kindness and talent.

However, the Hitchcock actress said the “whole series of James Bond” was actually “not my thing.”

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must clarify that James Bond has never been my cup of tea. From the very beginning, the portrayal of women in the James Bond series has left me feeling uneasy. The entire concept of James Bond seems to be deeply rooted in outdated sexism.

Despite limited information about how the franchise might evolve with Amazon MGM, Mirren expressed her stance against a female Bond character, but expressed interest in movies featuring historical women spies instead.

The actress from 1923 emphasized that women have played a significant and crucial role within the Secret Service since its inception. She also highlighted their bravery, citing their actions during the French Resistance as truly remarkable and courageous beyond belief. Her intention was to share true accounts of extraordinary females who have made a mark in this field.

In February, it was disclosed that Amazon’s MGM Studios were planning to establish a shared business venture to manage the James Bond copyrights, granting them creative authority over the franchise. However, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will remain joint owners of the property.

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2025-03-30 02:54