Ben Whishaw Won't Return as Q in James Bond Reboot, Expresses Regret Over Character's Sexuality Portrayal

Ben Whishaw has confirmed he will not reprise his role as Q in the upcoming James Bond franchise reboot. Whishaw, who played the MI6 gadgets master for nine years across three films—Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021)—believes producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson will "start all over again" with a new cast following Daniel Craig's exit as 007. This aligns with the recent deal between Amazon MGM Studios and the longtime franchise stewards, which grants Amazon full control of Ian Fleming's spy series. Auditions for the lead role are reportedly underway.

Whishaw, who was 31 when cast as the youngest actor to portray Q, succeeding John Cleese, told The Sunday Times that he "rarely think[s] about Bond," describing the intense speculation around the reboot as "deliberate hype." He noted the secretive nature of working on the films, where actors only receive their script pages, contributing to an atmosphere of suspense.

While Whishaw has largely moved on from his time in the Bond universe, he expressed regret over the handling of Q's sexuality. Although the film No Time to Die included a brief reference to Q going on a date with a man, Whishaw felt his character's homosexuality was left "unsatisfying" as it was not further explored. He also commented on the challenges facing the new iteration of the franchise, stating, "the world has changed so much since the last Bond film so you have to find what is relevant about it." He suggested the franchise "needs to be reinvented completely."

Whishaw's confirmation comes as the search for the next James Bond intensifies. Last week, Callum Turner reportedly began screen tests at Bray Studios, with other actors such as Slow Horses star Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor also said to have participated. A mystery actor seen leaving the auditions has fueled social media speculation, with Joe Alwyn being a frequently mentioned candidate. Producer Amy Pascal indicated in August that casting could be finalized by the end of the year, allowing filming to potentially begin in 2027.

Amazon MGM Studios acquired Bray Studios in 2024, the historic production house where films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show were made. This acquisition is part of the studio's full control over the Bond franchise. The process of casting Daniel Craig's successor has been described as meticulous, with producers seeking a "something really different that is stirring and exciting and different." The official film series has seen only six actors portray James Bond: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.