Tory minister says it's time for a female James Bond to succeed Daniel Craig

23 June 2023 , 15:54

1014     0

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has given her backing to a female Bond

A Government frontbencher has thrown her weight behind calls to cast a woman to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said it is "always time for females to lead" when asked her views about the franchise.

It's a rare moment of agreement between a Tory minister and Labour's Keir Starmer, who has previously said "it is time" for a female Bond.

Ms Frazer, who was appointed by Rishi Sunak when he became PM last autumn, made the comments during a podcast interview.

She was asked by presenter Jimmy McLoughlin, who hosts Jimmy's Jobs for the Future, who her favourite 007 actor was.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Speculation is rife over who will succeed Daniel Craig (Getty Images)

The cabinet member responded: “My favourite Bond? Sean Connery.”

Mr McLoughlin pressed by asking: “Is it time for a female James Bond?”

Ms Frazer responded: “Always time for females to lead – in film and more broadly.”

Speculation has been rife about who will replace Craig - who took on the role for 2006 blockbuster Casino Royale - in the popular series.

Mr Starmer said back in 2021: “I don’t have a favourite Bond, but I do think it is time for a female Bond.”

Emilia Clarke has previously said she would "love to" play Bond (©2015 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® and all related programs are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.)

There is no shortage of actresses linked with the character, with bookmakers taking bets on Lashana Lynch, Downton Abbey star Lily James and Killing Eve's Jodie Cromer getting the nod.

And Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, said back in 2016 that she would "love to" play Bond.

But frontrunners to succeed Craig are male, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill favourites with the bookies.

The outgoing Bond star, 55, previously said: “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?”

Dave Burke