As Amazon MGM Studios closes in on a decision for the next actor to play James Bond, a former Bond girl says the studio should keep the role male, arguing a change would break too sharply from Ian Fleming’s original books.
Alison Papworth, who appeared opposite Roger Moore in 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only” and 1983’s “Octopussy,” told Fox News Digital she hopes producers stay true to the source material.
“If they’re true to the books, I hope it’s a man. A man, just a man. Yes, I think it would be very strange if it were a woman. Don’t you? It would be a totally different thing. So, I hope it’s another man, another gorgeous man,” Papworth said.
Her comments came shortly before actor Gary Oldman weighed in with his own speculation on “The Morning Show,” suggesting his “Slow Horses” costar Jack Lowden may already have landed the part.
“Jack, it’s been rumored that he’s on the shortlist,” Oldman said. “We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So, my fingers are crossed for Jack.”
Oldman later softened the claim, telling Deadline: “There’s six people on a shortlist. I heard a rumor that they’ve picked James Bond, but they haven’t announced it yet, which is their prerogative. So, I do not know [who has got the part], but I’m hoping it’s Jack.”
Amazon MGM Studios took creative control of the Bond franchise in 2025 after forming a joint venture with longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. The studio publicly opened the search for the next 007 in May. Denis Villeneuve will direct the coming installment, with Steven Knight writing the script. Daniel Craig last played the role in 2021’s “No Time to Die.”
People magazine has reported that Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell are also among the names circulating as contenders. The next film will be the 26th entry in a franchise that stretches back more than 60 years.
Life as a Bond Girl
Papworth, now a director at the London-based Camhall Design & Consultancy, recalled Moore fondly from their time filming together.
“He was an absolute gentleman,” she said. “I only have fabulous, fabulous memories of him being funny, telling the best jokes. Very dry, very droll.”
She remembered a stuntman smuggling beef drippings in his luggage for Moore during filming in India, first-class flights to Rio de Janeiro, and trying caviar for the first time. But not every memory was glamorous.
“It was the middle of winter doing the scenes for ‘Octopussy’ where we were fighting in the castle,” Papworth said. “We learned to stunt fight, and it was supposed to be in India. But we were at Pinewood Studios, and it was below freezing. All the girls had these red bodysuits on with big capes. We were so cold, we had thermals on underneath. So, we probably looked about five pounds heavier.”
Papworth said a publicity director once warned her that actresses typically got “thrown on the Bond Girl scrap heap” after a single film, but Barbara Broccoli brought her back for a second.
“You can imagine my surprise when I got the call from Barbara Broccoli saying, ‘You’re on the next one, Alison,'” Papworth said. “And it stayed with me. Bond has stayed with me. It’s changed my life.”
She credited the films with two lifelong friendships, with fellow Bond actresses Vanya Seager and Carole Ashby.
Papworth went on to build a career in interior design after her modeling work slowed in her 30s, eventually running Camhall Design & Consultancy with projects in London, New York, Boston and the Bahamas. She also helped launch Lustre & Lustre London and has raised funds with friend Joan Collins for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, which supports children with life-limiting conditions in south-west and north-west London and Surrey.
She said she still enjoys occasional fan signings decades after her final Bond film.
“Bond fans are very good at tracking you down,” Papworth said. “I remember doing my first signing in Birmingham at this huge exhibition center. My husband and my kids came because I was a first-time signer. There were all ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Doctor Who,’ astronauts, boxers and little me.”
