The debate over who should become the next James Bond has sparked plenty of ideas, including calls for a woman to take over the famous 007 role.
Hannah Waddingham has now shared her view, and the ‘Ted Lasso‘ star does not believe a female actor needs to become Bond. In fact, her own experience playing a powerful woman has given her a very different take on what female action roles can be.
Hannah Waddingham Says Women Have Other Things To Do Than Becoming James Bond
Waddingham shared her thoughts at a special screening of her new Prime Video action-comedy series ‘Ride or Die‘ on June 22 at London’s Ham Yard Hotel. During the event, the 51-year-old actress was asked what attracts her to powerful female characters across her career.
Related: Top 10 Actresses Who Could Play A Female James Bond
For Waddingham, strength alone does not make a role interesting. She said she pays close attention to who a character really is away from everyone else. “It’s their truth, it’s who they are in the quiet, that’s what gets me first,” she explained. She added that her “interest is piqued by who they are when they’re alone. And the foibles and the fears and the aspirations they have when they’re alone.“
When the conversation turned to James Bond, Waddingham quickly ruled out any interest in playing 007 herself. She also made her position clear on the wider debate over whether a woman should take over the role. “No! God no! No, this is my version of 007; a woman doesn’t need to play James Bond; we’ve got other things to do,” she said.
‘Ride Or Die’ Gives Waddingham Her Own Version Of 007
That connects directly to Waddingham’s new role in ‘Ride or Die‘. She plays Judith Burton, a woman who secretly lives a double life as an assassin. Things become far more complicated when Judith’s best friend gets pulled into the chaos.
In case you missed it: Henry Cavill Still Wants To Join ‘James Bond’ Franchise, Just Not as 007
Instead of stepping into a character previously played by stars such as Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, Waddingham sees Judith as her own version of 007. The actress believes women do not need to inherit James Bond to lead major action stories. Female characters can have their own identities, dangers and adventures.
Waddingham’s excitement for this type of role also became clear when she and co-star Octavia Spencer discussed why they joined creator Tessa Coates’ comedy.
Spencer said, “It was such an amazing pitch. I’ve heard hundreds of pitches throughout my career and none like that one. It just had you spellbound, on the edge of your seat. I loved that it was centered around two women — two women of a certain age, two brilliant, highly capable women — doing action and comedy. And the show had a lot of heart.”
It seems like she already found an action role built around a woman rather than a female version of an established male character.
You might also like to read: “He Will Always Be My Bond”: Halle Berry Makes A Surprising Confession About James Bond Star Pierce Brosnan After 20 Years
