Former Bond Girl Gemma Arterton Doesn't Think Audiences Want a Female 007: 'You Just Have to Respect the Tradition'

Mar. 15, 2025

Former Bond girlGemma Artertonis weighing in on the idea of a female Bond.

She added, “Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.”

The idea of a female 007 has been floated around sinceDaniel Craig, who has played James Bond infive films since 2005, retired the role with 2021’sNo Time to Die.

“There should simply be better parts for women and actors of color,” Craig, 56, toldRadio Timesin 2021. “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?”

ActressRachel Weisz, also Craig’s wife, expressedsimilar sentiments. She said Ian Fleming, who wrote the first Bond book in 1953, spent a long time crafting the character — including how Bond relates to women. Female actresses should not be boxed into that frame, she said.

Daniel Craig as James Bond.Mgm/Columbia/Eon/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mgm/Columbia/Eon/Kobal/Shutterstock

“Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors?” she toldThe Telegraph.

She added, “Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.”

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Since Craig left the franchise, several men have been rumored to be in the running for the role, includingSaltburn’sJacob Elordi,The Fall Guy’sAaron Taylor-JohnsonandThe Boys in the Boat’sCallum Turner.

Other actors who played the spy includeSean Connery,Roger MooreandPierce Brosnan.

source: people.com