April 4, 2025 – Pierce Brosnan, the iconic actor who portrayed James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002, has publicly supported Dame Helen Mirren’s recent criticism of the 007 franchise, calling its origins “drenched and born out of profound sexism.” Brosnan’s comments, made during an interview with Variety at the New York City premiere of his new Paramount+ series MobLand, come in response to Mirren’s outspoken remarks about the franchise’s problematic portrayal of women.
Mirren, who stars alongside Brosnan in MobLand, made headlines on March 31, 2025, when she told The Guardian that the James Bond series, created by Ian Fleming, is inherently sexist and should not feature a female 007. Instead, she advocated for new stories centered on real women in espionage history. Her comments sparked a heated debate among fans, with some defending the franchise’s evolution over the years, while others echoed her concerns about its historical treatment of female characters.
Brosnan, who played Bond in films like GoldenEye and Die Another Day, acknowledged Mirren’s perspective, stating, “She let them have it. Yes, there’s a certain agreement there.” He noted that the framework of Bond, as established by Fleming, inherently carries conflict due to its roots. “There’s a certain world and room to move within the proscenium arch of what Ian Fleming put down,” Brosnan explained, suggesting that while the character operates within a specific narrative tradition, its sexist undertones are undeniable. Interestingly, Brosnan revealed that he and Mirren, despite their close working relationship, had not discussed her views on Bond directly.
The discussion around Bond’s legacy comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise, which is now under the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios following a joint venture announced in February 2025. While the future of the series remains uncertain, Mirren’s and Brosnan’s comments highlight a growing call for reexamining the character’s cultural impact. Brosnan, however, remains tied to the Bond legacy, as evidenced by a promotional image from Variety’s X post showing him in a classic 007 pose alongside Halle Berry, his co-star from Die Another Day.
As the debate continues, Brosnan and Mirren’s professional collaboration in MobLand demonstrates that their differing views on Bond have not affected their mutual respect. The industry now watches closely to see how the next chapter of the Bond saga will address its complex history.
