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Helen Mirren has never been shy about expressing her opinions on iconic roles, and her latest comments about James Bond are no exception. While promoting her upcoming film The Thursday Murder Club, she spoke candidly about the legendary spy franchise, reinforcing her view that the character must remain male. At 80, Mirren continues to command attention with her insight, charm, and willingness to discuss cultural icons with honesty. In the interview, she highlighted the differences between her role as a retired spy in The Thursday Murder Club and the traditional portrayal of 007. While her character, Elizabeth, offers a more realistic perspective on espionage, she admitted it “isn’t as fun as Bond.” Fans have appreciated her honesty, and her commentary sparked renewed discussion about gender representation in long-running franchises. Helen Mirren has always embraced roles that challenge expectations, and this latest interview adds to her legacy of thoughtful commentary. Helen Mirren Believes Bond Must Be a Man Helen Mirren/Instagram During the interview with Saga magazine, Helen Mirren reaffirmed her stance on the James Bond character. “I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work,” she said. She emphasized that changing Bond’s gender would alter the essence of the character, explaining that the spy simply must remain James Bond to retain his identity. Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in GOLDENEYE, 1995/Everett Collection According to People, Mirren also reflected on her own role in The Thursday Murder Club, pointing out that Elizabeth represents a more grounded and realistic view of a spy’s life. By doing so, she highlighted the contributions of real-life women in espionage history, noting their courage and importance. Her perspective offers fans a chance to appreciate the nuances of female representation in film while still respecting the traditional appeal of the Bond franchise. Celebrating a Career of Bold Choices Helen Mirren/Instagram Helen Mirren’s commentary comes as the next James Bond movie enters development, following Daniel Craig’s celebrated five-film tenure. Mirren has long voiced concerns about how women were portrayed in earlier Bond films, describing the franchise as “drenched and born out of profound sexism.” Yet she has consistently praised actors like Pierce Brosnan and Craig for their contributions, demonstrating her balanced and thoughtful approach to criticism. VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Helen Mirren attends the red carpet of the movie "Madres Paralelas" during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2021 in Venice, Italy.(Photo by Laurent Koffel/ImageCollect.com) Even as she embraces new projects like The Thursday Murder Club, set to stream on Netflix August 28, Helen Mirren remains a cultural touchstone. She continues to captivate audiences with her performances and her candid views on Hollywood and iconic characters. Through her work, Mirren highlights both the evolution of female representation and the enduring allure of classic film heroes, proving that her influence extends well beyond any single role.