Pierce Brosnan has insisted that the new James Bond must be played by a male lead after previously suggesting that the spy should be portrayed by a woman. In 2019, former 007 star Brosnan told The Hollywood Reporter that it was time to “put a woman up there”, adding: “It would be exhilarating.”

Helen Mirren supports women, but she doesn’t think a woman should portray James Bond as the search for the next 007 agent is underway. In a new interview while promoting Thursday Murder Club, in which she co-stars alongside former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan,