4. Judi Dench
A now stalwart of the series, Dame Judi was a controversial choice to play the head of MI6 (they'd previously all been men) but it was clearly an inspired choice as she brings both a maternal confidence and a brittle, cold efficiency that makes it clear that while she might secretly care for 007, she isn't afraid to reel him in or if needs be, sacrifice him for the greater good. This is particularly important for Skyfall which reportedly involves Dench's M in a major role - rather than appearing at the start of the film to give 007 his assignment, M's past is apparently being explored and has a huge, personal connection to movie bad guy Silva. This is a pleasant and well deserved surprise - in the past films of the Daniel Craig era, Dench has had larger performances than before, often with an emotional touchstone that Craig's Bond required but never before has she been front and centre of a film quite like this, something Dench's always impeccable performances have earned her.