Helen Mirren explains her dislike for James Bond

Helen Mirren, who is working with Pierce Brosnan on two upcoming projects, the series MobLand with Guy Ritchie and the film adaptation of Richard Osman's novel The Thursday Murder Club, recently expressed her admiration for the former James Bond actor. Calling herself a "massive fan" of Brosnan in a conversation with The London Standard, Mirren stated that her MobLand co-star is "one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with." She also added Daniel Craig to that category, describing the last actor to play James Bond as "a very lovely gracious person."

The surprise factor, however, is that Mirren's admiration for both does not stem from the James Bond franchise. Mirren stated that she does not fancy the franchise because of how it portrays female characters. Consequently, Mirren does not want a female actor to become the next James Bond; instead, she would like to see adaptations of historical female spies.

"The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism," she stated. "Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been. And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world."

Mirren's comments come in the wake of Amazon MGM Studios' recent agreement with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson over the creative control of the franchise. Following the deal, there have been reports about David Heyman of Heyday Films and Amy Pascal of Pascal Pictures becoming producers for the next Bond film. Meanwhile, the long-running debate about the James Bond successor continues, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson being the latest to be linked to the role.