Phoenix 24
The former Bond star calls for stronger female characters.
London, United Kingdom
Former James Bond actress Trina Parks has publicly endorsed Sydney Sweeney as a potential leading woman in the next installment of the legendary spy franchise, praising the Hollywood star’s versatility, screen presence and confidence. Parks, who made cinematic history as the first Black actress to portray a Bond girl in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, believes the Euphoria performer possesses qualities that could appeal to contemporary audiences. Her remarks arrive as Amazon MGM Studios prepares a new chapter of the franchise following Daniel Craig’s departure.
Speaking to Britain’s The Telegraph, Parks described Sweeney as a performer capable of bringing both classic Hollywood glamour and modern independence to the Bond universe. “Sydney would do a wonderful job,” she said, highlighting the actress’s experience across different genres and her confident public image. Beyond physical appearance, Parks emphasized that female characters should possess their own identities rather than exist primarily as romantic companions to the British secret agent.
The 79-year-old actress has a distinctive perspective on the franchise’s evolution. In Diamonds Are Forever, she portrayed Thumper, an assassin who confronted Sean Connery’s James Bond alongside her accomplice Bambi. More than five decades later, Parks believes the series should preserve its recognizable elements of romance, sophistication and intrigue while presenting women as independent figures capable of challenging the protagonist. She has previously argued that Bond should demonstrate he deserves a woman’s affection rather than automatically attract romantic partners through his charm.
Sweeney, whose career includes Euphoria, The White Lotus, Anyone But You and Immaculate, has attracted considerable attention as speculation grows over the franchise’s next cast. Other actresses mentioned in entertainment reports include Margaret Qualley and Zendaya, although none has been officially announced for the upcoming production. Parks’s endorsement represents a personal preference rather than evidence of casting negotiations or confirmation that Sweeney has been offered a role.
The next Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Dune, with a screenplay by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. Amazon MGM Studios is overseeing the production following its acquisition of creative control of the franchise in 2025. Meanwhile, actors Callum Turner and Jack Lowden have been associated with reported screen tests for the role of 007, but the studio has not publicly confirmed Daniel Craig’s successor. The uncertainty surrounding both leading roles continues to attract international attention.
Parks’s comments also reflect a broader conversation about how longstanding cinematic franchises can retain their identity while responding to changing expectations. The portrayal of women in Bond films has evolved considerably since the early productions, particularly through characters whose professional abilities and personal motivations extend beyond their relationships with the central protagonist. For Parks, Sweeney represents one possible interpretation of that evolution, combining recognizable screen appeal with the potential for a more autonomous character. Whether the actress eventually joins the franchise remains an open question, but the discussion highlights how the next Bond film will be judged not only by its new leading man, but also by the characters surrounding him.
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