Helen Mirren Says Bond Must Remain Male, Despite Her Feminist Principles

While promoting The Thursday Murder Club, Mirren and co-star Pierce Brosnan reaffirm that James Bond should stay a man—just as Amazon MGM lines up Steven Knight and Denis Villeneuve for the next 007 reboot.

As she promotes the upcoming Netflix film The Thursday Murder Club, Oscar-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren lent her voice to the ongoing debate over the future of James Bond—insisting that the iconic spy must remain male—even as she proudly identifies as a feminist.

In a recent interview with Saga magazine, Mirren—who portrays a retired MI6 operative in her new film—made her stance clear. “I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy,” she said. “You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”

Mirren has previously criticized the franchise, saying that the Bond character is “drenched and born out of profound sexism.” At the same time, she highlighted how real-life women have played crucial roles in espionage, pointing to the courage of female agents in the French Resistance. According to Mirren, their stories deserve to be told on screen rather than reshaping Bond into a woman.

Her co-star and former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan echoed her thoughts, wishing the franchise well as it prepares for its next chapter. “I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character,” Brosnan said. He added that he now enjoys being “just a member of the audience” awaiting the future of 007.

Meanwhile, the franchise itself is gearing up for a major reboot. Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed that acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve will helm the 26th Bond film, with veteran screenwriter Steven Knight attached to craft the script. The film is still in early development, with a release expected later this decade.