# 007 will be played by a Black actress **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078 "2019-07-14T19:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/101 "2019-07-15T19:10:38Z")
Interesting how ‘better-looking’ for some coincides with lighter skin and straighter hair. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/102 "2019-07-15T19:51:56Z")
> [@planetcory](#): > > Interesting how ‘better-looking’ for some coincides with lighter skin and straighter hair. Interesting you got that out of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/103 "2019-07-15T20:11:05Z")
I am going to state, unequivocally and for the record, that the next Bond movie will feature one of [these](https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1150408570929917957) (or possibly several, with henchmen on them, chasing Bond). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/104 "2019-07-15T20:19:30Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > I am going to state, unequivocally and for the record, that the next Bond movie will feature one of [these](https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1150408570929917957) And invite [Connery](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ON_xbwuqs) comparisons? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/105 "2019-07-15T20:28:30Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > And invite [Connery](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ON_xbwuqs) comparisons? Yes, exactly! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/106 "2019-07-15T20:58:02Z")
What a cluster of a thread, full of misinformation. Could a moderator please correct the thread title? It is wholly false. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/107 "2019-07-15T21:36:42Z")
I was working under the assumption that the thread title was close enough to attract the people who would be interested, and that the misinformation being corrected in the first reply was good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/108 "2019-07-15T21:40:02Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I was working under the assumption that the thread title was close enough to attract the people who would be interested, and that the misinformation being corrected in the first reply was good enough. I wouldn’t say it was misinformation, that implies I had the intention to deceive. It was an error. Change it if you want. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/109 "2019-07-15T22:55:35Z")
Judging from some of the reactions in this thread, I wonder if Q is going to issue her with some weaponized cooties… ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/110 "2019-07-15T23:33:01Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Interesting you got that out of this thread. …we didn’t get that “out of the thread.” We got it out of the posters who literally made direct comparisons to actors with lighter skin and straighter hair. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/111 "2019-07-16T00:03:17Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …we didn’t get that “out of the thread.” We got it out of the posters who literally made direct comparisons to actors with lighter skin and straighter hair. One poster listed several choices, all who obviously aren’t “black” enough for consideration, I guess. I dunno, they look black to me. Yes, there is an issue in Hollywood where light skinned black women are used more. But the “posts” in this thread don’t justify your reaction. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/112 "2019-07-16T00:06:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I really thought she was the weakest link in that film’s generally strong cast. She had no real personality as a character, and even worse, she didn’t have any chemistry with Brie Larson. I hope she does a better job as 007. In Lynch’s defense, Maria Rambeau was one of the most underwritten characters in the history of the MCU. Just pops up to provide a backstory exposition dump and a ham-fisted “you-go-girl” speech, and then disappears from the movie. I’d like to believe Lynch can do a better job with a more developed character and script. ---
**Author:** ![fedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/113 "2019-07-16T00:09:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > It was gonna happen eventually. > > The PC police would never rest until it they changed the iconic character of James Bond. > > The sensible thing to do is create a character equal to Bond. There are many agents employed as intelligence officers in the Secret Intelligence Service. Why have we only been introduced to one agent? > > We of course no longer live in a sane world. I won’t waste my time or money watching a PC Bond. what about the ridiculous Peter Sellers travesty Casino Royale? ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/114 "2019-07-16T00:11:14Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > One poster listed several choices, all who obviously aren’t “black” enough for consideration, I guess. I dunno, they look black to me. …of course they “all look black” to you. That doesn’t surprise me at all. > [@](#): > > Yes, there is an issue in Hollywood where light skinned black women are used more. But the “posts” in this thread don’t justify your reaction. Don’t tell me what should or shouldn’t “justify my reaction.” The issue of Hollywood using “light skinned black women” more is percisely because “light skinned black women” are perceived by many to be more “conventionally attractive”. That attitude is coming across clearly in a few of the posts here. Someone even conveniently posted pictures to make that point. ---
**Author:** ![fedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/115 "2019-07-16T00:16:09Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > I think this is a ridiculous argument. It is still a James Bond movie. James Bond retired in the previous movie, so it makes logical sense that MI6 would fill the vacant 007 slot with a new agent. There’s no reason why in 2019 this could not be a woman, or a person of color. You’re basically arguing that a supporting character in a Bond movie cannot be a black woman, a milestone that was passed back in 1973 with _Live and Let Die_ (or maybe earlier). did anyone complain that dozens of different actors portrayed Felix, including one who was Black? ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/116 "2019-07-16T00:45:30Z")
> [@Cumberdale](#): > > I have no problem with this. In this day and age it’s foolish to think 007 can only be a white male. And I like the idea that the 00 designation can be handed down to other agents. > > Now if they were trying to set the movie back during the Cold War, it really wouldn’t make sense. To all the snowflakes who find this the worst thing to ever happen, just repeat to yourself, “It’s just a show, > I should really just relax.” I agree completely. I remember, a couple of Bond movies back (back when it was floating around the Internet that the next 007 should be played by Idris Elba), a friend and I saw the latest (think it was Skyfall) and deciding that the first non-white 007 should be played by a Brit of Indian descent. We were trying to think of who should get the role, but we drew a blank. Dev Patel, maybe, but it’s hard to imagine him portraying the more thuggish elements of Bond’s character. He always seems so _nice_. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/117 "2019-07-16T00:45:46Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …of course they “all look black” to you. That doesn’t surprise me at all. > > Don’t tell me what should or shouldn’t “justify my reaction.” The issue of Hollywood using “light skinned black women” more is percisely because “light skinned black women” are perceived by many to be more “conventionally attractive”. That attitude is coming across clearly in a few of the posts here. Someone even conveniently posted pictures to make that point. What doesn’t surprise you? That I think those black actresses look black? Because I’m not sure what you’re on about. And no one here is arguing that only light skinned black women need apply for the job of double-naught spy. I’m not the casting director here. You have no idea how I feel about standards of black beauty. The real test if a person is Black enough comes from how a racist treats them. If a bigot attacks them, no matter how light skinned they are, how straight their hair is, they’re Black. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/118 "2019-07-16T00:50:25Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > What doesn’t surprise you? That I think those black actresses look black? …yep. > [@](#): > > Because I’m not sure what you’re on about. Clearly. > [@](#): > > And no one here is arguing that only light skinned black women need apply for the job of double-naught spy. Strawman. > [@](#): > > I’m not the casting director here. You have no idea how I feel about standards of black beauty. I’m not claming that I do. > [@](#): > > The real test if a person is Black enough comes from how a racist treats them. Incorrect. > [@](#): > > If a bigot attacks them, no matter how light skinned they are, how straight their hair is, they’re Black. What a strange assertion. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/119 "2019-07-16T01:10:19Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > I remember, a couple of Bond movies back (back when it was floating around the Internet that the next 007 should be played by Idris Elba), a friend and I saw the latest (think it was Skyfall) and deciding that the first non-white 007 should be played by a Brit of Indian descent. We were trying to think of who should get the role, but we drew a blank. Dev Patel, maybe, but it’s hard to imagine him portraying the more thuggish elements of Bond’s character. He always seems so _nice_. They really should have gone with [Radzi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radzi_Chinyanganya). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078/120 "2019-07-16T01:39:59Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …yep. A lot of work to make no point. Still not sure what you’re on about, but I no longer care. Have a nice day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/007-will-be-played-by-a-black-actress/837078.md?page=7)