For months, discussions over who would next take on the coveted name of ‘Agent 007’ were only fueled by fan favourites and rumours. Names like Idris Elba (I was rooting for him, ngl!), Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston and more were thrown into the mix. At one point, it looked like ‘Venom’ actor Tom Hardy had cinched the role. However, in a turn of events, we’ve recently learned that the mantel of the iconic fictional British Secret Service agent will be passed on to someone many did not expect (but one we’re celebrating!) – British actress Lashana Rasheda Lynch.
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In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the 32-year-old actress confirmed that she will be taking Daniel Craig’s place as James Bond following her introduction in the twenty-fifth instalment in the James Bond film series, ‘No Time To Die’. Her confirmation marks a revolutionary change to an almost 6 decades long white-male dominant role. However, as with what happens when a franchise decides to do a 360-turn in casting, the resulting backlash has almost overshadowed the historic moment – almost, because Lynch isn’t about to let the hate get to her.
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A black woman, wearing a flight suit, on screen, in this here 2019! It’s a new dawn!
When rumours first started floating about that the ‘Captain Marvel’ star could be taking over the role, trolls who weren’t ready for a Black, female Bond tried to tear her down. Back when the backlash first transpired, Lynch had already steeled her resolve by making a valid point – that the negativity was no a personal attack against her but one that was stemming from something far deeper. She stated:
“It doesn’t dishearten me. It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions, they’re not even from a mean place—they’re actually from a sad place,. It’s not about me. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life.”
To expand on the notion, Lynch explained:
“I am one Black woman – if it were another Black woman cast in the role, it would have been the same conversation, she would have got the same attacks, the same abuse. I just have to remind myself that the conversation is happening and that I’m a part of something that will be very, very revolutionary. We’re moving away from toxic masculinity, and that’s happening because women are being open, demanding and vocal, and calling out misbehaviour as soon as we see it.”
In the upcoming instalment of the James Bond franchise, Lynch’s character Nomi is essential in the mission that Bond embarks on, making her introduction to the franchise one that will grant her the screentime she needs to make the transition to becoming the next Agent 007.
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No Time To Die, All The Time For Sequins. Thank you, @entertainmentweekly!
And with the big role, comes big responsibility that Lynch isn’t going to minimise. Lynch revealed that she had worked closely with the writer of ‘No Time To Die’ to ensure that her character Nomi wasn’t “too slick” nor “a cast-iron figure”. Instead, the ‘Still Star-Crossed’ actress wanted her to be “subtly drawn, believable, perhaps even a little awkward.”
“A character that is too slick, a cast-iron figure? That’s completely against what I stand for. I didn’t want to waste an opportunity when it came to what Nomi might represent. I searched for at least one moment in the script where Black audience members would nod their heads, tutting at the reality but glad to see their real life represented. In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 percent authentic.”
The future James Bond will be seen alongside the last run for Daniel Craig as the titular character in April 2021, when ‘No Time To Die’ is slated for release. Congratulations to the talented actress for the groundbreaking change!
*Cover image credits: Lashana Lynch's Instagram for S/magazine
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