By Salma El-Sakka
Rory Kinnear, who portrayed MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner across three James Bond films starring Daniel Craig, has disclosed that he had never watched a Bond movie before accepting the role.
No prior knowledge of the franchise
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Kinnear, 48, said he had not seen any of the films before joining the series. “It wasn’t something I watched,” he explained, adding that he has since enjoyed the experience and attending premieres.
Personal connection to Judi Dench
Kinnear is the godson of Michael Williams, the late husband of Judi Dench, who played M in the Craig-era films. He recalled that Williams and his father, actor Roy Kinnear, were close friends from their time at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Working alongside Dench allowed him to share memories and avoid being intimidated by her stature, he said. Kinnear also praised Dench’s extraordinary recall, noting she could complete Shakespeare lines from roles she never performed.
Future of Bond and casting speculation
Regarding the franchise’s next chapter under Amazon, Kinnear said he has not been informed of any plans but would return if approached. He warned against relying on casting rumors, citing a 13-year-old report that incorrectly named him as the next Doctor Who.
Actors who previously played Bill Tanner
The role of Bill Tanner has been played by Michael Goodliffe in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), James Villiers in For Your Eyes Only (1981), and Michael Kitchen in GoldenEye (1995) and The World Is Not Enough (1999).
