The James Bond franchise has been a global sensation for decades, with various British actors stepping into the shoes of the suave British spy.
However, it seems one cherished character is set to have their own spin-off show on Amazon Prime as fans eagerly await the announcement of the new 007 by Hollywood bigwigs.
Florence Pugh is reportedly lined up to star in The Moneypenny Diaries as the iconic title character. This deal gives the streaming giant complete control over future productions in the series, including the launch of spin-off projects.
According to the Express, the 29-year-old actress will be the first in a series of Bond-inspired shows produced by Amazon. The blonde beauty is slated to portray Miss Moneypenny, the secretary to Bond’s boss, M, and his intermittent romantic interest.
The show will “most likely” draw from the book series of the same name by Samantha Weinberg, written under the pen name Kate Westbrook. The Moneypenny Diaries, published between 2005 and 2008, chronicles the character across three novels and two short stories – set during the 1950s and 60s era of Bond, embodied by Sean Connery.
A TV insider told The Sun: “Depending on your point of view, having the story of such a loved character played by a top British actress is either a dream combination or a nightmare.”
Pugh would be joining a distinguished roster of actresses who have portrayed the infamous character – including Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss, Samantha Bond and most recently Naomi Harris.
Despite the excitement surrounding the potential casting for the spin-off, an insider expressed concerns that the show might worry some Bond purists who fear it could “diminish the purity of the British icon.”
They pointed out that since The Moneypenny Diaries includes James Bond as a character, a new actor would need to be cast, potentially leading to several actors playing the role across different Amazon projects, adding to the already intense competition for the iconic part.
Following the acquisition deal, Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, reassured fans about their commitment to the legacy of the suave spy.
He remarked: “Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment”.
Hopkins paid tribute to Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for introducing Bond to moviegoers, and to Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their steadfast stewardship of the series. He concluded by saying Amazon was “honoured to continue this treasured heritage” and eager to embark on the next chapter of 007’s story.
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