A new Bond girl! Female author set to write trilogy of 007 books for the first time – after Phoebe Waller-Bridge was bought on board as scriptwriter for ‘woke’ No Time to Die
- Kim Sherwood, 32, has been tasked with writing three new James Bond books
- Author, from Canada, is best known for her 2018 novel The Testament
- Called it ‘a dream come true’ and said Bond is ‘one of enduring loves’ of her life
- Comes after Phoebe Waller-Bridge James Bond swapped bed-hopping for handshakes and camaraderie with his female counterparts in No Time To Die
A new trilogy of James Bond books is in the works with a female author tasked with writing the spy novels for the first time.
Kim Sherwood, 32, from Canada, who is best known for her 2018 novel The Testament, will write three ‘contemporary thrillers’ after reaching an agreement with Ian Fleming Publications.
The first book, set for release in September 2022, features a world where Bond is ‘missing, presumed captured or even killed’.
The move comes after scriptwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s James Bond swapped bed-hopping for handshakes and camaraderie with his female counterparts in No Time To Die.
Kim Sherwood, 32, from Canada, who is best known for her 2018 novel The Testament, will write three ‘contemporary thrillers’ after reaching an agreement with Ian Fleming Publications
The first book, set for release in September 2022, features a world where Bond is ‘missing, presumed captured or even killed’
In Kim’s book A new generation of Double 0 agents have been recruited but spymaster M and secretary Moneypenny are searching for a mole within MI6.
Kim described Bond as ‘one of the enduring loves of my life’ and said she was ‘hooked’ on 007 creator Ian Fleming’s novels.
She said: ‘As a teenager, I chose Fleming when my English teacher asked us to write about an author we admired – I still have the school report.
‘Since then, I’ve dreamt of writing James Bond. It’s rare that dreams come true, and I am grateful to the Fleming family for this incredible opportunity.
Kim described Bond as ‘one of the enduring loves of my life’ and said she was ‘hooked’ on 007 creator Ian Fleming’s novels.
‘I feel honoured to be the first novelist to expand the Bond universe through the Double O sector, bringing new life to old favourites, and fresh characters to the canon.
‘I couldn’t be more excited to introduce the world to my Double O agents.’
Johnny Geller, a literary agent who represents Ian Fleming Publications, said: ‘We struck gold with this latest collaboration with Kim as not only is she a fine novelist but a Fleming aficionado of the highest order.
‘Her re-imagining of some of our favourite characters and world building will delight any fan of James Bond and Ian Fleming.’
The move comes after scriptwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s James Bond swapped bed-hopping for handshakes and camaraderie with his female counterparts in No Time To Die (pictured, Pierce Brosnan with Halle Berry in a scene from Die Another Die)
Previous authors to write Bond novels include Kingsley Amis and Anthony Horowitz.
It comes months after No Time to Die was declared the ‘wokest’ 007 film yet.
The 25th film in the franchise sees strong female characters stake their claim on the storyline- with Lashana Lynch as British secret agent Nomi, along with Ana De Armas as Cuban agent Paloma, joined by psychologist and Bond’s love Madeleine Swann, played by Lea Seydoux.
Fleabag creator Phoebe was brought in as a scriptwriter to ensure the blockbuster was appropriate for the #MeToo era – with the flick billed as the most politically correct and ‘woke’ James Bond movie yet, with outdated sexism banned.
Fleabag creator Phoebe was brought in as a scriptwriter to ensure the blockbuster was appropriate for the #MeToo era
Therefore, while No Time To Die sees the typical explosive Bond drama beloved of the franchise, 007’s previous history of adding notches to his bedpost is very much an afterthought – with the agent seen building a friendly rapport with his female colleagues, rather than trying to seduce them.
In one scene, Bond asks Paloma to turn around as he changes, before shaking hands with her in a scene of mutual respect and understanding following a dramatic fight scene.
They are also seen praising each other’s work – and, while Bonds of yesteryear would have seen the suave agent delivering some smooth lines and bedroom eyes before tumbling into a passionate embrace, the pair keep it cordial.
In the latest film, there is also verbal sparring with Nomi, with the usually silver-tongued agent placed uncharacteristically on the back foot during several tongue-in cheek exchanges
There is also verbal sparring with his 007 replacement Nomi, with the usually silver-tongued agent placed uncharacteristically on the back foot during several tongue-in cheek exchanges.
In 2019, a source revealed that the phrase ‘Bond girls’ is now forbidden, saying: ‘We were all told that from now on they are to be addressed as ‘Bond women’.’
Phoebe said: ‘There’s been a lot of talk about whether or not Bond is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women.
‘I think that’s b******s. I think he’s absolutely relevant now. [The franchise] has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to his character.’
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