10 Women Who Should Be The Next James Bond

2. Honourable Mentions...

If we're attempting to ground this article in something resembling reality, then there's a number of factors that would rule potential candidates out. Firstly, age, and whilst this list could be made entirely redundant by simply writing "Kristen Scott Thomas should be James Bond, thanks for reading", there's no way that MGM are going to cast a 55 year old as the tentpole of an action franchise. See also Helen Mirren, who should have been given the role about 40 years ago and just allowed to do whatever she wanted with it.

The other major deal-breaker would probably a current link to the existing franchise, ruling out notable candidates like Rosamund Pike and Gemma Arterton after they appeared in Die Another Day and Quantum of Solace respectively. Both would have been excellent candidates - Pike especially after her ice-cold and duplicitous performance in Gone Girl - but it's probably too much of a leap to reboot a franchise while recasting from the current ranks.

The biggest shame of all in that regard is Naomie Harris, who's appeared in the last two films as Moneypenny. Not cut out for field work (bless her) so entrusted with the sacred duty of organising M's rolodex and screening his calls. Whether you want to look at her bit-part appearances in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Miami Vice, her stunning performance in Long Walk To Freedom, or just her sheer brutal brilliance in 28 Days Later, Harris is woefully underused in the current Bond setup.