Dame Helen Mirren has asserted that James Bond must remain a male character despite her feminist principles, arguing that changing the iconic spy’s gender would fundamentally alter the franchise. Her comments, echoed by former 007 Pierce Brosnan, come as Amazon reboots the series with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Dame Helen Mirren (80-year-old Oscar-winning actress and self-described feminist) and Pierce Brosnan (72-year-old former James Bond actor) made these statements. Both are starring together in the upcoming film adaptation of “The Thursday Murder Club.”
Mirren declared that James Bond “has to be a guy” in a Saga Magazine interview, insisting the character’s identity is intrinsically male. She emphasized that while Bond was “born out of profound sexism,” gender-swapping the role would transform it into “something else.” Brosnan concurred, advocating for a male actor to bring “new exuberance” to the role.
The interview was published on August 18, 2025, with Mirren’s comments circulating widely within the past 24 hours. This timing coincides with Amazon’s ongoing reboot of the franchise.
The remarks originated from a UK-based Saga Magazine feature but address the global James Bond franchise, now under Amazon MGM Studios’ control after a $1 billion acquisition.
Mirren’s stance stems from her belief that Bond’s masculine identity is core to the character’s legacy, despite acknowledging the franchise’s historically sexist undertones. The comments respond to ongoing debates about gender-swapping iconic roles and Amazon’s promise of a “fresh take” on the series.
The actors framed their position during a joint interview while promoting “The Thursday Murder Club,” where Mirren plays a retired spy opposite Brosnan. Their views align with Halle Berry’s earlier 2025 Cannes statement opposing a female Bond.
This reinforces resistance to modernizing Bond’s gender amid Hollywood’s diversity push, potentially influencing Amazon’s casting decisions. It highlights tensions between preserving legacy characters and progressive representation in major franchises.
Amazon MGM and screenwriter Steven Knight are developing the 26th Bond film, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton rumored as top contenders. No release date is set, but the studio aims to honor Bond’s “iconic” legacy while introducing new creative directions.