Former Bond Girl Sparks Backlash After Saying the Next James Bond ‘Must Be White

Former Bond girl Maryam d’Abo has caused controversy by saying she believes the next James Bond should be a white man. D’Abo, 65, who starred as Kara Milovy in the 1987 film The Living Daylights, shared her thoughts in an interview with media outlets.

When asked if she thought a black actor could play Bond, she said, “Then don’t call it Bond. Call it something else. You can have a wonderful black hero, but then don’t call him James Bond.”

D’Abo explained that she wants the new films to stay true to the original novels by Ian Fleming. “Personally, I would respect Ian Fleming’s books and keep James Bond being English and working for His Majesty’s Secret Service,” she added.

Despite her comments, she expressed openness to other non-British actors taking the role, like Jacob Elordi. “He is Australian, but so what?” she said.

D’Abo played Milovy, a cellist and KGB agent, opposite Timothy Dalton as Bond. In the film, Bond spares her life during a mission in Bratislava and later wins her trust before seducing her, which became one of the iconic Bond romance storylines.

There has been widespread discussion about who will replace Daniel Craig as 007. Black British actors, including Aaron Pierre, have been considered strong candidates. Pierre, 31, voiced Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King and has Jamaican, Sierra Leonean, and Curacaoan heritage. Idris Elba was originally a top favorite, but at 53 he may be considered too old for the role, which producer Barbara Broccoli has suggested will likely go to someone in their 30s.

Other rumored candidates include Callum Turner and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Turner, 35, reportedly told his inner circle he expects to play Bond, while his fiancée Dua Lipa has been linked to performing the next Bond theme song.

The next Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, with the screenplay written by Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders. Broccoli has previously stated that the new Bond “will be a man, will likely be in his 30s,” and added that “whiteness is not a given.”

The franchise was sold to Amazon last year in a billion-dollar deal. Broccoli and her half-brother Michael Wilson remain co-owners but have largely given up creative control.

D’Abo’s comments show how divided opinions are about keeping James Bond traditional versus modernizing the character. Fans clearly have strong feelings about who should take over 007. What do you think? Should Bond stay true to the original books, or is it time for a fresh take? Share your thoughts in the comments.