20 Things You Didn’t Know About The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

17. “In Our Business, Anya, People Get Killed.”

The Spy Who Loved Me Jaws
MGM/UA

Major Anya Amasova’s KGB lover, Sergei Barsov (Michael Billington) had been associated with Double-0 Seven since On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).

Billington had auditioned for the role of Bond in that film and had even met its director, Peter R. Hunt to discuss the role. Even though he lost out to George Lazenby, he screen-tested for the part again in Live And Let Die (1973), but Roger Moore was cast instead. Nevertheless, Billington was subsequently cast in the brief but important role of Barsov in The Spy Who Loved Me.

Not to be put off, he screen-tested twice more for the role in Moonraker (1979) and Octopussy (1983) when it seemed that Moore might not return.

Ultimately, his role as Barsov might have closed the door on his ability to play Double-0 Seven onscreen, but he did get to portray James Bond when screen testing actresses for The Spy Who Loved Me.

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I started writing for WhatCulture in July 2020. I have always enjoyed reading and writing. I have contributed to several short story competitions and I have occasionally been fortunate enough to have my work published. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I also started reviewing films on my Facebook page. Numerous friends and contacts suggested that I should start my own website for reviewing films, but I wanted something a bit more diverse - and so here I am! My interests focus on film and television mainly, but I also occasionally produce articles that venture into other areas as well. In particular, I am a fan of the under appreciated sequel (of which there are many), but I also like the classics and the mainstream too.