Helen Mirren has never liked the James Bond franchise. She dislikes both the character and how the films treat women. As Amazon MGM moves forward with a 007 reboot, Mirren remains uninterested in the idea of a female Bond, given the franchise’s long history.

In an interview with The Standard, she expressed her views bluntly. “The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. 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.”

Women in Espionage Deserve Real Stories

Mirren believes filmmakers should focus on real female spies instead of reimagining Bond as a woman. She pointed out that women have always played key roles in intelligence services. Moreover, she praised the incredible bravery of women in the French Resistance during World War II.

Praise for Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig

Although she criticizes the James Bond films, Mirren appreciates some of the actors who played the role. She currently stars alongside Pierce Brosnan in the crime series MobLand, which also features Tom Hardy. Speaking about Brosnan, she said, “I’m a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan, I mean massive fan. 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.”

Additionally, she spoke highly of Daniel Craig, calling him a “lovely, gracious person.”

Amazon MGM Takes Creative Control of Bond Franchise

In February, Amazon MGM officially took over the creative rights to the James Bond series. Longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed control of the franchise to the streaming giant. As a result, Amazon now has the authority to shape Bond’s future.