M - Bernard Lee
The head of MI6, M gives Bond his assignments and is the only person 007 answers to. This M in particular, Bernard Lee, first appeared in Dr. No and featured in every other one up to Moonraker when he died shortly after filming.
Appearances
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
M - Robert Brown
This next M, Robert Brown, first appeared in Octopussy after a space of one film in Bernard Lee's memory. Brown played M true to Lee's legacy up to License To Kill.
Appearances
The current M who first appeared in GoldenEye, Judi Dench has breathed new life into M as a more tough and involved M. This doesn't mean that she is caring. She respects Bond, but also keeps a hard line with him, making sure he knows who is boss.
Appearances
Frederick Gray - Geoffrey Keen
Gray is the Minister of Defence, and is responsible for making sure the PM is up to date with what the MI6 have been doing. He first appears in 'The Spy Who Loved Me', and then appears in every Bond film up to 'The Living Daylights'. He acts as M's number 2, but often his hunches are wrong.
Appearances
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
Octopussy
A View To A Kill
The Living Daylights
Lois Maxwell's Moneypenny featured in every film from Dr. No up to A View To A Kill. As M's personal secretary, Moneypenny is always there to welcome Bond home from his adventures in far off places. Everytime she and 007 encounter each other you can be sure it will be funny and interesting because of their unique chemistry. She and Bond joke about how they need each other, but she really does care about him and 007 realises this and cares for her too.
Appearances
Goldfinger
Thunderball
You Only Live Twice
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Diamonds Are Forever
Live and Let Die
The Man With The Golden Gun
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
A View To A Kill
When Lois Maxwell retired from her role a new, more educated and infatuated Moneypenny was introduced. The Living Daylights is where Caroline Bliss first appears but she only lasts for one more movie due to the fact audiences much preferred the old Moneypenny. The chemistry and humour is still there though, and I was reasonable happy with the new Moneypenny, although I do think that the previous and later Moneypennys were of a better character.
Appearances
The Living Daylights
Licence To Kill
When Pierce Brosnan first used his license to kill in GoldenEye he was welcomed by a new Moneypenny. Samantha Bond has the wit and charm that equals and possibly exceeds that of Lois Maxwell which will hopefully continue for as long a Lois Maxwell did in the role.
Appearances
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
The World Is Not Enough
The gadgets genius has appeared in every Bond film to date, bar 'Live and Let Die', although in 'Dr.No', Major Boothroyd is played by Peter Burton, and in 'From Russia With Love', Desomd Llewelyn plays the part of the humble armourer. Desmond Llewelyn will be sadly missed from the series.
Appearances
Goldfinger
Thunderball
You Only Live Twice
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Diamonds Are Forever
The Man With The Golden Gun
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
A View To A Kill
The Living Daylights
Licence To Kill
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
The World Is Not Enough
Originally Q's assistant in The World Is Not Enough, R is the new head of the Q Branch and will continue a legacy of providing 007 with ingenious gadgets and gizmos.
Appearances
First seen in For Your Eyes Only, Bill Tanner is the Chief of Staff at MI6. His character first came about because in 1981 the producers kept M out of the movie to honor the late Bernard Lee. However, after that a new M took over and the character of Tanner stayed. He was first played by James Villiers (right) and was next seen in GoldenEye when he was played by Michael Kitchen. Kitchen continued to play Tanner in The World Is Not Enough and is sure to be a regular figure in forthcoming films too.
Appearances
For Your Eyes Only
GoldenEye
The World Is Not Enough
Felix Leiter has appeared first in Dr. No and then quite frequently up to License To Kill were he was left unable to continue his work at the CIA. One of Bond's best and only friends, Leiter and Bond always stand by each other. Constantly watching each other's backs, they have worked on many missions together and have survived many risky situations. Because the actors portraying him have changed so frequently it's difficult to give an adequate evaluation of each one. David Hedison was asked to do License To Kill 23 years after he portrayed Felix in Live And Let Die. I was pleased with his performance both times, and because of this he is my favourite Felix Leiter. It is a shame that so many actors have been needed to play just one supporting character. Pictured is Rik van Nutter, who tried to give Leiter a cool look in 'Thunderball', which was rather different from previous interpretations.
Appearances
Goldfinger
Thunderball
Diamonds Are Forever
Live and Let Die
The Living Daylights
Licence To Kill
First helping Bond in GoldenEye, Wade is a cocky CIA agent. After Felix was put out of action, a new CIA contact was introduced, in the form of Wade. Wade has since assisted 007 in Tomorrow Never Dies and will hopefully continue in providing us with the usual wisecracks and sarcastic remarks.
Appearances
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
For years, General Anatol Gogol was the head of the KGB. Walter Gotell is a regular, much-loved figure from the series. Most of the time Gogol tried to work with MI6, although on occasion, when it was in his best interests, Gogol worked against them. Walter Gotell died in the early 1990's and will be sorely missed.
Appearances
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
A View To A Kill
The Living Daylights
An ex-KGB agent, Zukovski now runs his own 'legitimate' business operations. First appearing in GoldenEye and subsequently The World Is Not Enough, Valentin is an unlikely ally for 007, and is rarely entirely truthful about his 'operations'.
Appearances
GoldenEye
The World Is Not Enough
