Honor Blackman, Joanna Lumley and Jane Seymour look back on their brushes with James Bond

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Rumors are circulating that Sydney Sweeney, known for her role in Euphoria, might be the next actress to play a Bond girl, sparking renewed discussion about the significance of being a part of the James Bond franchise.

Sydney Sweeney recently discussed rumors about potentially appearing in the next James Bond film, which is slated for release in 2028. The speculation arose from reports that Jeff Bezos, whose Amazon now owns the studio making the film, is interested in casting her.

I’m not really up-to-date on all the Bond speculation,” Sweeney admitted. “But I’ve always loved the Bond films, and I’m eager to see where they take the series next.

When asked if she’d consider the role, Sweeney said it would depend on the script, but she’d actually prefer to play James Bond.

As everyone wonders who will be the next Bond, we looked back at interviews from the TopMob archives to see what the most iconic Bond girls had to say about their experiences. These interviews, spanning from the 1960s to more recent reflections, reveal their thoughts on fame, being independent women, and what it was like working alongside the world’s most famous spy.

Honor Blackman – Pussy Galore, Goldfinger (1964)

Before becoming famous as Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger, Honor Blackman was already well-known in Britain for her role as Cathy Gale in the TV series The Avengers. She was a perfect choice for the part because she was skilled in martial arts and had a strong, confident personality – qualities that made her believable as a capable pilot who led a team of female flyers and held her own against Sean Connery’s James Bond.

In a 2012 interview with TopMob, actress Eunice Blackman discussed how the James Bond films – and the way they depicted women – had evolved since her time. She said she disliked being called a “Bond girl” and fondly remembered the earlier, more hard-edged and unforgiving versions of 007.

She explained that the term ‘Bond girl’ didn’t exist when she started acting. She finds the label frustrating now, because it implies the characters were just helpless and interested in Bond for the wrong reasons. She was drawn to the role of Pussy Galore because she saw her as a powerful and intelligent woman.

Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond differs significantly from Ian Fleming’s original character. Modern audiences expect Bond to be more relatable – someone who seeks affection, experiences love, and feels regret for taking lives. In contrast, the earlier Bond was far more ruthless; he could casually have a relationship, then discard and even kill the woman, all before calmly ordering a drink.

In a 2001 interview, she openly discussed how the role had affected her career. She said that while playing Pussy made her more famous, it’s unfortunately the only thing most people remember her for.

Joanna Lumley – ‘The English Girl’, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Before she became a famous actress in Britain, Joanna Lumley had a small role in a James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. She played one of the mysterious “Angels of Death” alongside George Lazenby, who only played Bond once.

Even though she had a small role, the young model-turned-actress was deeply affected by the film’s grand production, which was filmed in the snowy Swiss Alps. In a 1999 interview with TopMob, Lumley described the experience as glamorous and dreamlike, remembering a filmmaking world that felt both luxurious and unbelievable.

I did some modelling for a few years, and then I landed a small role as a Bond girl – thankfully, I was booked for two months! We filmed in Switzerland, where the production team had rented out an entire village. It was incredible – they even used Olympic skiers as extras, and we Bond girls were dressed in glamorous outfits. It truly felt like a dream movie set.

Jane Seymour – Solitaire, Live and Let Die (1973)

I remember being completely captivated by Jane Seymour when I first saw Live and Let Die. She was so young – barely out of her teens, I think – and played Solitaire with this incredible, almost otherworldly charm. It was Roger Moore’s first time as Bond, and she was this fascinating tarot card reader who, sadly, lost her abilities once she fell for 007. That role really put her on the map, and it’s been amazing to watch her career blossom in film and TV ever since.

In a 1995 interview with TopMob, Jane Seymour discussed how being known early in her career for her glamorous image and romantic roles sometimes made it harder to get cast in more contemporary or challenging parts. She wondered if her reputation for elegance and sensuality – something she’d even reinforced with her 1986 book on creating a romantic lifestyle, which included tips like scenting light bulbs and mastering subtle flirting – had unintentionally limited her options.

Seymour was typically honest about her experiences in Hollywood and her determination to be recognized for more than just her looks.

She responded to the question of whether she missed directing films with sex and violence, saying, “Not particularly. I’ve explored that territory before – although not in the way people might think.” She explained that while James Bond was a predecessor to the current style, she’d already worked on several projects with sensual content, navigated some errors in judgment, and taken on questionable ventures. She identified the 1979 TV movie Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders as her least favorite, despite its surprising success.

I truly disliked that time and was always puzzled by being called a sex symbol, especially since I’m quite small. All my friends had breast augmentation and looked amazing – they were perfectly matched! I briefly considered getting it myself, but then I realized I needed to accept myself as I was. Plus, if I had, they would have gotten in the way when I played tennis and ruined my backhand.

I’m not easily shocked and I’m comfortable with myself, but when you live such a public life and constantly share your feelings, it’s important to have some boundaries. I don’t feel the need to put my personal life on display.

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2025-10-30 17:36