On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by Ajay Chowdhury, the co-author of the acclaimed 800-page Bond biography Some Kind of Hero and spokesperson of the James Bond International Fan Club, to do a deep dive into the story behind 2008's Quantum of Solace , starring Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007. The episode covers the story of the follow up to 2006's Casino Royale , which faced an intense production schedule, script problems, an...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 41 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by journalist Mark Harrison to do a deep dive into Q, the MI6 Quartermaster who has appeared in 22 out of the 25 Eon Bond films, as well as 1967's Casino Royale and 1983's Never Say Never Again . The episode takes a look at the history and origins of Q in the Ian Fleming novels, discussing his likely inspirations and early appearance in Dr No . We also take a look at the rich life and career of Desmond Ll...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 34 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast host Tom Butler is joined by George Aldridge of Cinema Savvy and Mark O'Connell, author of Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan to explore the characters and creatives behind the 007 films that fall under the letter P. Topics covered include: Paloma, the instantly iconic No Time To Die character played by Ana De Armas Pinewood Studios, the spiritual home of the James Bond movies since 1962's Dr No, and home of the 007 Stage Gary and Greg Powell wh...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 20 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast host Tom Butler is joined by Alan Porter (James Bond Lexicon) and Mike Reyes (Cinemablend) to do a deep dive into the story behind 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service , starring George Lazenby as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007. The episode covers the story of George Lazenby's one and only 007 film, from the (second) exit of Sean Connery from the role of Bond and the casting net that eventually snared the Australian model-turned-actor, to the product...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 56 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by Cam Smith from the SpyHards podcast to do a deep dive into the story behind 1983's Octopussy , starring Sir Roger Moore as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007. The episode covers the story of Roger Moore's sixth outing as Bond which came out the same year as Never Say Never Again, Sir Sean Connery's final outing as 007. You'll learn about how the film was developed, how Roger was enticed to return (and the ac...
Jul 28, 2022•1 hr 29 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy explore the characters and creatives behind the 007 films that fall under the letter O. Topics covered include: Oddjob, the iconic Goldfinge r henchman played by Harold Sakata O.K. Connery , the bizarre spy spoof starring Sean Connery's brother Neil that attracted an array of 007 alumni including Lois Maxwell, Bernard Lee, Adolfo Celi, Daniela Bianchi and more Xenia Onatopp, the unforgettable GoldenEye character pla...
Jul 21, 2022•57 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by author and journalist Mark Salisbury, the author of Titan Books' No Time To Die: The Making of the Film , making his podcasting debut. The author of the official making of book for No Time To Die , who enjoyed unparalleled access to the set of the 25th James Bond film, joins the team to reveal how he got the gig, what he knows about Danny Boyle's version of the film, who he spoke to on set, and how the...
Jul 14, 2022•42 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by journalist Mark Harrison to do a deep dive into the story behind 2021's No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007. The episode covers the story of Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as Bond which could easily claim the title of the most trouble Eon production to date. We track the progress of the movie from Danny Boyle's Bond 25 to the film that was released (eventually) ...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 51 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a closer look at 'Never Say Never Again', the 1983 James Bond film starring Sean Connery as 007. The story of the second Bond movie not produced by Eon is a tangled web that begins in 1961 with the release of Ian Fleming's 'Thunderball'. This episode covers the story of Kevin McClory's long-running legal battle with Eon from being awarded the movie rights to 'Thunderball', to the struggle to make...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 21 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley explore the characters and creatives behind the 007 films that fall under the letter N. Topics covered include: Nick Nack, the diminutive henchman played by Hervé Villechaize in The Man With The Golden Gun . Necros, The Living Daylight s heavy memorably portrayed by Andreas Wisniewski. Thomas Newman, the award-winning composer behind Skyfall and Spectre . Monty Norman, the man behind the iconic James ...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 10 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a closer look at Moonraker , the 1979 James Bond film starring Roger Moore as 007. Charting the journey from page to screen, this episode takes a deep dive into the making of Roger Moore's fourth Bond movie from its humble literary origins to the biggest and boldest 007 movie yet. The episode looks at how the script came together, how NASA helped in pre-production, and who the key crew and cast w...
Jun 16, 2022•1 hr 46 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a closer look at M, James Bond’s boss M, the Head of British Secret Service. We explore the origins of Ian Fleming's character and the people who are said to have inspired him. We take a look at all the screen incarnations and the actors behind the character: Bernard Lee, John Huston, Robert Brown, Edward Fox, Dame Judi Dench, and Ralph Fiennes. We also discuss which incarnation is our favourite ...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a break from the regular routine to answer your Bond questions and conundrums. It's a bank holiday weekend in the UK, so we're throwing away the script to respond to some long overdue questions from you, our lovely listeners. Topics that we cover include: Our favourite Bond posters, our recommended viewing orders, our favourite 007 movie climaxes, and who we'd like to play Bond next. We also disc...
Jun 02, 2022•1 hr 3 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley further explore the life and career of Sir Roger Moore, the third big screen Bond who played 007 a record-setting seven times on screen. A man with a legendary career deserves a legendary episode, this is the second part of a two-part special with this one covering Sir Roger's life and career including the 1980s James Bond films For Your Eyes Only , Octopussy , and A View To A Kill . The episode also ...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 11 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley explore the life and career of Sir Roger Moore, the third big screen Bond who played 007 a record-setting seven times on screen. A man with a legendary career deserves a legendary episode, this is the first part of a two-part special with this one covering Sir Roger's life and career up to and including the 1970s James Bond films Live and Let Die , The Man With The Golden Gun , The Spy Who Loved Me an...
May 19, 2022•1 hr 7 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a closer look at Miss Moneypenny, the secretary to Bond’s boss M, who has appeared in 23 of the 25 Bond films, and both non-canon Bond films. Did you know that during Lois Maxwell’s 14 films as Moneypenny she only appeared for a total of 20 minutes, and spoke fewer than 200 words? We explore the origins of Ian Fleming's character and the people who are said to have inspired her. We take a look at...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 10 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more 007 filmmakers, characters and topics under the letter M. In this show you'll learn about: Long time Bond screenwriter Richard Maibaum Tom Mankiewicz, the screenwriter who ushered Bond into the 1970s Miniatures expert Derek Meddings Two-time 007 cinematographer Phil Meheux Sir Sam Mendes, the director of Skyfall and Spectre Camera operator Alec Mills Cinematographer Ted Moore Production de...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by author and filmmaker Gareth Owen who was the executive assistant of Sir Roger Moore for 15 years, and is the author of Raising an Eyebrow, My Life With Roger Moore . We talk to Gareth about meeting and working with Roger Moore right up until his death in 2017. Gareth tells us about where is love of Bond came from, and how he came to know many people from the world of 007 including Sir Sean Connery, Geo...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 10 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are joined by comic creator Mark Millar to talk about his new comic series The King of Spies , James Bond, Kingsman and much more. The King of Spies aims to do for Bond what Old Man Logan did for Wolverine, and tells the story of an ageing superspy who aims to right the wrongs of his life in the secret service when he's diagnosed with a terminal illness. On this episode Mark talks about his love of Ja...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 7 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are joined by Alan J. Porter of The James Bond Lexicon to take a look at the character of Felix Leiter. The character of Felix Leiter is integral to the story of Bond and originates in Ian Fleming's 007 novels. James Bond’s trusted ally has appeared in 10 of the 25 official 007 films so far, played by seven different actors. He's also appeared in 'Never Say Never Again' and countless James Bond storie...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 22 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a deep dive into the making of 1973's 'Live And Let Die'. Sir Roger Moore makes his James Bond debut in this blaxploitation-tinged 007 adventure, and this episode covers how the film was brought to the screen. We explore how Roger landed the role of Bond, who the filmmakers responsible were, and who all the actors involved were found. We take a look at the development of the story from page to sc...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 46 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy are joined by Agent Scott of the SpyHards podcast to take a deep dive into the making of 1989's 'Licence To Kill'. Timothy Dalton's second and final 007 movie was a marked departure from the established Bond formula, and by design too. We explore why this film looks and feels different to its predecessors, including its darker tone, changes to its writing team, and new studio. The episodes also covers the film's sup...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 48 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler and Brendan Duffy explore the life and career of George Lazenby, the second actor to play James Bond on the big screen. The Australian model-turned-actor was plucked from obscurity to play 007 in 1969's 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'. We explore his incredible rise to fame, how he landed the most coveted role in Hollywood, and why he turned his back on the chance to play Bond again. Find out what went down on the set of 'OHMSS' an...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 6 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more filmmakers, characters and topics under the letter L. In this show you'll learn about: 'Licence To Kill's Lupe Lamora, played by Talisa Soto The legendary 007 production designer Peter Lamont Emilio Largo, the 'Thunderball' villain played by Adolfo Celi Marc Lawrence, an actor with two Bond film appearances Mads Mikkelsen's 'Casino Royale' villain Le Chiffre Count Lippe, another 'Thunderba...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 3 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle the 007 kharacters and kreatives that fall under the letter K. In this show you'll learn about: Michael Kamen, the American composer on 'Licence To Kill'. Daniel Kleinman, the commercials director who took over title credits duties from Maurice Binder from 'GoldenEye' onwards. Burt Kwouk, the British actor with multiple Bond credits to his name, as well as a long and illustrious acting career. ...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more filmmakers, characters and topics under the letter J. In this show you'll learn about: Jamaica, the spiritual home of James Bond where Ian Fleming wrote the 007 books, and provided the location for many films. Jaws, the iconic henchman played by Richard Kiel in 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'Moonraker'. Halle Berry's Jinx, the 'Die Another Day' character who nearly got her own spin-off. Johnn...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 5 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle filmmakers, characters and topics under the letter H and I. In this show you'll learn about: Four time 007 director Guy Hamilton who directed 'Goldfinger', 'Diamonds Are Forever', 'Live and Let Die' and 'The Man With The Golden Gun'. Marvin Hamlisch, the award-winning composer who wrote the score for 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and its theme song 'Nobody Does It Better'. Oscar-winning screenwriter P...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 8 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a deep dive into the making of the third Bond film: 1964's 'Goldfinger'. The episode explores: How the film built on the success of the first two 007 films to deliver one of the best entries in the series. How the film found a new director after Terence Young decided not to return. The controversy behind the actor Gert Frobe and how it was resolved. The film's locations from Miami to Switzerland,...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 30 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley take a deep dive into the making of 1995's 'GoldenEye', starring Pierce Brosnan as 007. The episode explores: Why there was such a long wait after 'Licence To Kill', and how Pierce Brosnan landed the role of 007. How the script was developed, the many writers involved, and why Martin Campbell was chosen to helm. Why the production had to find a new home after Pinewood was fully booked, and the many lo...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 50 min
On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle the filmmakers, characters and topics of the 007 world that fall under the letter G. In this show you'll learn about: Dennis Gassner, the production designer who brought Bond into the 21st century on 'Quantum of Solace', 'Skyfall', and 'Spectre'. Lewis Gilbert, the director of 'You Only Live Twice', 'The Spy Who Loved Me', and 'Moonraker'. John Glen, editor, second unit, and the 1980s Bond dire...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 8 min
