Keir Starmer says James Bond should be played by a woman

Labour leader says it is ‘time’ for a female actor to play 007

Keir Starmer says that a female actor should play the next James Bond.

With Daniel Craig’s final outing as the spy in No Time To Die hitting cinemas today (30 September), the debate has been reignited about who will take on the role and whether a woman should play Bond.

Labour leader Starmer has now shared his thoughts, telling ITV News: “I don’t have a favourite Bond, but I do think it’s time for a female Bond."

Last week, Craig said that he didn’t think that Bond should be played by a woman because better roles needed to be offered to female and non-white actors in the film industry instead.

“There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour,” he said. “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?”

His argument was echoed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who worked on the script for No Time To Die.

“I think Bond is James Bond,” she said. “We just need to cook up someone to rival him.”

A number of actors have been tipped to replace Craig, including Mad Max star Tom Hardy, Bridgerton’s Rege-Jean Page and Luther’s Idris Elba. You can find the full list here.

Producer Barbara Broccoli confirmed the hunt for the next 007 has not yet started and would not begin until next year. She also said that Bond would always be a man.

No Time To Die is in cinemas now.