With the post–Daniel Craig era reshaping what 007 could look like, one question looms large: could (and should) the next James Bond be a woman?
If not, could a female spy take over the franchise in her own right?
Producers have said they won’t gender-swap Bond himself, but that hasn’t stopped audiences from imagining a woman at the centre of Britain’s most iconic spy saga.
Whether as the first female Bond or a new 00 agent with equal swagger, these five contenders have already captured fans’ imaginations, both on screen and on the page.
Nomi (Lashana Lynch)
When Bond retired at the beginning of No Time To Die, MI6 reassigned his number and Agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch) stepped into the role of 007. Cool under pressure and lethal in the field, she became the first canonical character to hold the designation while Bond was still alive. If the franchise were to continue with an existing character, Nomi is the closest thing to a ready-made successor, whether or not she keeps the triple-zero prefix.
Paloma (Ana de Armas)
Appearing for only minutes in No Time To Die, Paloma (Ana de Armas) stole the film with her infectious confidence, razor-sharp combat skills and that incredible Michael Lo Sordo dress. Fans have been calling for a spin-off ever since. Paloma may never replace Bond, but she could easily headline a parallel franchise with the same glamour, gadgets and espionage.
Mathilde Swann
Though still a child in the most recent film, Mathilde represents a future-forward way to evolve the franchise without discarding history. She was introduced as the daughter of James Bond and Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) in No Time To Die. Subsequently, fans have floated the idea of a time jump, one where an adult Mathilde becomes a spy who carries her father’s reputation like a shadow. It’s speculative, and decades off narratively, but the concept resonates: the Bond name lives on, just not the way we expected.
Johanna Harwood aka 003
While her screen future is unknown, Johanna Harwood (003) exists in the extended literary universe of James Bond and is written as a capable, though complex intelligence agent with her own missions. She offers something fans have long wanted: a new character with the Bond tone, without actually rewriting Bond himself. Adapting her for film would let creators stay loyal to tradition while breaking new ground.
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