Brian Cox Talks 007: Road To A Million

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In a career that spans the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter and Logan Roy in Succession, Brian Cox’s latest role sees the actor move into unexplored territory. This time, he plays an enigmatic figure known as The Controller who operates at the centre of new Prime Video adventure series 007: Road To A Million. 

The opportunity to play The Controller has allowed Cox to tick off a key item on his acting To Do list. “Now I can finally say I’ve been in a Bond production. I’ve never been in a Bond movie, and I always thought I’d be a very good Bond villain.”

For EON Executive Producer Michael G. Wilson, Cox is the perfect casting as The Controller, a Machiavellian overseer of the game who needed to combine both a sense of seriousness and mischief. “Brian Cox is the ideal puppet master for our contestants,” says Wilson. “As The Controller, he orchestrates the series’ challenges while enjoying watching the contestants squirm.”

007: Road To A Million is an epic adventure series following nine pairs of contestants who attempt to win £1 million by competing in James Bond-inspired challenges all around the globe. From the highlands of Scotland to the streets of Venice and majestic Swiss Alps, the challenges take place in 007 locations with the physical and mental tests pushing the teams to the limit — just one wrong step and the mission is terminated.

At the heart of the game is The Controller, the mastermind who sets ten challenges and questions, not making things easy for the contestants because he hates giving away money when the participants get the answer right.

“The Controller is a shadowy figure in the background who has created this game for his sport,” says John Douglas, Creative Director of 72 Films, co-producers on the project with Amazon MGM Studios and EON Productions. “He has chosen the people he wants to go through this game, he’s watching them on screens from his lair, but they go through the game only ever hearing his voice.”

“Like all great Bond villains, The Controller has a love of specialist knowledge,” explains David Glover, Founder & CEO of 72 Films. “Bond villains will often tell Bond all about the piranha fish that’s about to eat him or the wine he is drinking.”

Furthermore, The Controller shares many characteristics that puts him in a long line of unforgettable 007 nemeses. “He’s quite dark and sinister, but he also has a dark sense of humour,” says Douglas. “He’s a little like Blofeld or one of those very classic Bond villains who has a huge interest in the world. Our questions reflect that classic character, I think in the same way that Blofeld had a huge amount of knowledge about quite specific things, our questions are often quite specialist.”

When it came to finding an actor to play The Controller, there was only one choice.

“I’m honestly so glad it’s Brian,” says David Glover. “I read the reaction to his casting on a Bond fan site and someone wrote, ‘He’s the best Bond villain that’s never been’. I think that’s absolutely right. He feels very good as a Bond villain; he’s a nice fit. He’s got an intensity but a playfulness too which feels right. And of course, he’s got Hollywood gravitas and a great voice.”

As a proud Scot, Cox’s favourite 007 was only ever going to be one portrayal. “It has to be Sean Connery,” he says. “I always thought it was so ironic that Sean [Cox imitates him perfectly] short of talksh like thish and he doesn’t sound like he’s from Gordonstoun! The real James Bond would have been frightfully, frightfully posh, not like Sean at all. So that was wonderful to see. I was extremely proud that another Scot had fooled everybody to such distraction that they cast him in a wonderful lead role, and he brought something unique to it.”

Cox’s Scottish connection also added another reason to why the actor is the perfect presence to embody The Controller. “We start our journey in Scotland and of course Brian is Scottish, but then it rolls out all over the world and he has international power too,” says David Glover.

While the role of The Controller is pivotal to 007: Road To A Million, Cox sees the true appeal of the show lies with the contestants his character is manoeuvring around the world. “The more idiosyncratic the candidates are, it creates a lot of fun,” he says. “That will be the strength of the show. There are other shows with fantastic casting, but what’s different about this is the Bond theme and those two aspects alongside each other mean it will work very strongly.”

Watch 007: Road To A Million only on Prime Video from Friday 10 November 2023.

MORE: Meet the 007: Road To A Million Contestants

Meet The 007: Road To A Million Contestants

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Nine pairs of everyday people face the ultimate test in physical and mental endurance in 007: Road To A Million, an epic global adventure competition with a James Bond twist. And the prize? A life-changing £1 million.

Pairs of contestants from all backgrounds travel the globe facing challenges and fiendish questions set by The Controller, played by Brian Cox, a mysterious mastermind who loves to watch the participants struggle. Each correct answer unlocks a sum of money and a new mission for the team. A wrong answer spells the end of the game.

MORE: Brian Cox talks 007: Road To A Million

“Our contestants represent a diverse cross-section of the UK,” says Gregg Wilson. “The unique pairs, ranging from families and friends to co-workers, are bound by genuine relationships, which lend an emotional depth to their journey. Each pair competes for a life-altering sum, adding even more stakes to their adventure.”

Here are the nine couples taking part in 007: Road To A Million…

James (37) and Joey (43)
Relationship: Brothers

James is a self-described “copy writer by day and musician by night”. Joey runs his own electrician business. The highly competitive siblings joined the show for a chance to recapture the fun of their youth before responsibilities took hold. For all their rivalries, they are bound by a love of Chelsea football club.

Beth (46) and Jen (41)
Relationship: Friends

Two medical workers with equally challenging experiences. Jen joined the RAF and worked in Afghanistan bringing home injured soldiers and provided medical care in Kabul, Christmas Island and Guyana. Beth has provided emergency care internationally, including working in expedition medicine with ultra-marathon runners in the Amazon and the Arctic Circle. Nothing will phase them.

Kamara (30) and Josh (42)
Relationship: Couple

Having met working as youth workers in their local community, Kamara and Josh bonded over travel, anthropology and an interest in different cultures. Kamara is a daring risk-taker. Josh is a methodical planner. As parents to three children under five, taking part in the show is a chance to celebrate themselves as a couple and re-engage with their passions.

Saiqa (23) and Sana (24)
Relationship: Sisters

Sana is a process engineer and Saiqa is a fraud analyst. The former displays grace under pressure, the latter is good with people. They are the youngest in the game but have a keen sense of general knowledge that belies their age. Their hope is to create long lasting memories for themselves.

James (50) and Sam (21)
Relationship: Father and Son

This father-son team share a close bond, although dad James has missed a lot of Sam’s childhood working away on an oil rig and wants to make up for lost time. James is adaptable with great leadership skills while Sam is a deep thinker and ‘the calm one’. Travelling the world has been a long-held dream but also offers a chance to reconnect.

Keith (54) and Nick (54)
Relationship: Former Colleagues

Described as “peas in a pod”, Keith and Nick are two retired police officers and their goal on the show is to recapture their glory days. Their motto may be ‘Take nothing seriously’ but their life experience and ability to stay cool in a crisis means they are not to be under-estimated.

Danny (41) and Colin (51)
Relationship: Friends

Friends for ten years, Danny and Colin met through their partners and connected over the fact that their fathers came from the same parish in Jamaica. Danny is level-headed and resourceful, Colin can improvise off-the-cuff solutions, even if he tends to question his decision making. They see the show as a way to both test themselves and go on a journey with their best friend.

Grace (31) and Daniella (30)
Relationship: Friends

Grace and Daniella met working as runners at Capital Radio Glasgow and both have turned this experience into successful broadcasting careers. Beyond work, Grace hosts a quiz three nights a week and brings the general knowledge. Daniela adds motivation and enthusiasm. Two proud Scots, they passionately want to represent their country as “wee Scottish lasses.”

Tanaka (28) and James (28)
Relationship: Friends

Two friends who met at school and have remained close ever since. Frequent travel companions, they’ve visited Brazil, South Africa and Colombia, they have opposite personalities: James takes risks, Tanaka will play it safe. But, together, they are passionate and motivated to win.

Official 2023 Christmas Gift Guide Part 1

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The holiday season is approaching and so it’s time for the 2023 James Bond Christmas gift guide. From collectibles to tree decorations, we’ve put together an edit of the best James Bond presents for the family. Welcome to part one.

Gifts for collectors

The half-size replica of Scaramanga’s iconic golden gun is a must-have for any collector’s shelf, while a bottle of numbered 007 rum, hand signed by Chris Blackwell, will evoke Bond’s spiritual home in Jamaica. Send them into orbit with the Moonraker laser gun replica, complete with a realistic blue light laser effect, or around the world with the new James Bond Destinations book by Assouline. Steiff’s collaboration with 007 now includes the Julius No and a musical Bond bear in bow tie and dinner suit. Both come with the trademark buttoned ear tab. Or let them recreate Bond and Le Chiffre’s game of Texas hold-em with the precious casino chip coins from The Perth Mint. Duesenberg’s David Arnold Edition 007 guitar is the ultimate collectible for music lovers. 

For men

Orlebar Brown’s new jacquard logo swim shorts add a dash of Bond elegance to pool-time. Try a set of silver or gold-plated cufflinks in a range of designs, or leather gloves inspired by On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, lined in soft cashmere. Style lovers will appreciate the’ unisex No.007 eau de parfum by Floris, new 007 heraldry embroidered socks by the London Sock Exchange or the Turnball & Asser Casino Royale silk bow tie. A crystal whisky tumbler from Bond’s Hotel Splendide bathroom, or the Cala Beach Bar scorpion drink set from Skyfall are a great way to toast the season. 

For women

Festive gifts for her include the new Skyfall stag storm globe, filled with Highland mist and glitter, or a pair of handmade Royale sunglasses by Barton Perreira. Add a dash of Bond style to her next adventure with a personalised travel wallet or luggage tag in a choice of coloured leathers, or a pair of luxurious winter boots by Bogner, lined in soft shearling. A pine green Chilly’s water bottle is ready for anything. The new SPECTRE coasters are the perfect place for a dry martini while enjoying the festivities with a box of Charbonnel et Walker martini truffles.

Stay tuned for part two of the guide which covers gifts for kids, the family and the tree. See the complete range at 007Store.com.

 

Quantum Of Solace At 15

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October 29th 2008 saw the London premiere of Quantum of Solace. The follow up to Casino Royale (2006) sees Bond, still shaken from the death of Vesper Lynd, uncover a sinister organisation called QUANTUM, later revealed as a subsidiary of SPECTRE. The story jumps from Italy to Haiti to Austria to Bolivia as 007 thwarts eco-terrorist Dominic Greene’s plans to take over an entire country, while still investigating the reasons behind Vesper’s betrayal. To mark its 15th anniversary, this is the behind-the-scenes story of the 22nd EON James Bond adventure…

A Series First

Quantum of Solace became the first direct sequel to an EON 007 film, picking up just ten minutes after the events of Casino Royale with a high-octane car chase shootout. Initially the script had closer ties to its predecessor but after Academy Award winning writer Paul Haggis (Crash, Casino Royale) came on board, the script was developed to continue Bond’s personal arc and his search for answers after Vesper’s betrayal.

Finding A Director And Title

To direct the film, EON hired Marc Forster, who guided Halle Berry to an Oscar with Monster’s Ball. As well as his skill with actors, Forster brought an approach that combined the past and the present. “I wanted to go a little bit retro, to pay homage to the early design choices of Ken Adam and the thrillers of the ‘60s and ‘70s I loved so much,” he said. “I went back to these movies to absorb their look so I could create their feel but at the same time making it modern and cutting edge.”

On January 25th 2008 the film unveiled its title drawn from a 1960 Ian Fleming short story in which Bond is told an anecdote over dinner in Jamaica. “Ian Fleming always had an emotional line through his books,” recalled Daniel Craig. “Quantum of Solace is a moving story debating relationships and how they hurt. He suggests if you don’t have a quantum of solace in your relationship, you should give up.” 

Out For Revenge

“With Bond having fallen in love with Vesper, we had to come up with a different kind of female character,” said producer Barbara Broccoli. Haggis’ script delivered Camille Montes (played by French-Ukrainian actor Olga Kurylenko), a Bolivian intelligence agent who teams up with Bond but with her own agenda — to avenge the death of her family at the hands of former Bolivian dictator General Medrano (Joaquín Cosío). “Camille mirrored Bond’s problem; she too was seeking revenge. There is a strong emotional, rather than sexual relationship,” said Broccoli.  

Camille’s vendetta against Medrano brings her and Bond into the orbit of the film’s true antagonist Dominic Greene. Played by French actor Mathieu Amalric, Greene is a high-level operative of QUANTUM masquerading as a benevolent eco-entrepreneur. His plot, in league with Medrano, is to withhold Bolivia’s water supply underground with the idea of using it as leverage to run the entire country. With a plan rooted in current concerns, Greene represented a very modern nemesis, one the actor found daunting. 

“I asked Marc, ‘Can I shave my head or have a scar or something to help me,” said Amalric. “He said, ‘No, just your eyes, that’s enough.” So that was scary, the responsibility of not being disappointing as a villain and not being lost in the crowd.” 

Setting A New Record

With the key cast on board, the production was literally off to the races, sending 10 cameras to capture footage of the Palio di Sena horse race in August 2007. Quantum of Solace started principal photography on January 3rd 2008. “The film had 13 weeks of location shooting out of 22 weeks,” remembered producer Michael G. Wilson. “It was the greatest percentage of location work we’d ever done a film.” The main unit started filming in London and travelled to 5 other countries: Panama, Chile, Mexico, Italy and Austria. 

Immediate Action

Quantum of Solace begins with action from the get-go with a high-speed pursuit around Lake Garda. The scene utilised seven versions of Bond’s Aston Martin DBS and eight of the chasing Alfa Romeos. Other set-pieces included a rooftop foot-chase in Siena – Craig himself performed a leap from a three-storey window onto a moving bus – a fight dangling from ropes in an art gallery and a speedboat sequence shot in Colón doubling for Haiti. Exciting and imaginative, the spectacle was still rooted in the real world, a philosophy Barbara Broccoli attributed to her star. “One of the reasons we had much more realistic action was because Daniel was able and wanted to do it,” she said. “When your leading-man does it, then everyone follows suit.”

Sky-fall

Surveying QUANTUM’s intended land acquisition by air, Bond and Camille’s vintage DC-3 comes under attack from a Bolivian black Marchetti plane and helicopter, forcing the pair to skydive into a sinkhole. The freefall itself was performed at Bodyflight, the world’s biggest indoor skydiving school. Rather than hang actors from greenscreen, Daniel Craig and Olga Kurylenko performed in a wind tunnel facing winds of up to 165mph, the footage then composited against sky and terrain. The whole sequence was choreographed and shot in just one day.  

A Nod To The Past

Bond arrives in Bolivia and is greeted by rookie MI6 agent Strawberry Fields (Gemma Arterton). After being seduced by Bond, Fields is killed by QUANTUM, drowned in crude oil. This sticky end is a direct homage to the murder of Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton) in Goldfinger, who is found dead, covered head to foot in gold. To recreate the moment exactly, Forster constantly referred on set to the shot of Eaton but it was more than just fan service. “Ultimately, oil is the gold of today,” recalled the director, “and I thought having her lay there in oil would work for the story.”

A Fiery Finale

The explosive climax of Quantum of Solace takes place at Greene’s stronghold and was shot at the extraordinary European Southern Observatory and hotel complex in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. While the production created a portion of the facility in the desert in order to burn it down, the interiors were created by taking over all six stages at Pinewood Studios. In a period of just 12 days, Chris Corbould’s special effects unit set off 54 controlled explosions, six cameras primed to capture the inferno.

Mean and Lean

Echoing Bond’s stripped back sense of purpose following the loss of Vesper, Quantum of Solace is the shortest 007 film in the series, coming in at under two hours. The film’s title song was written by The White Stripes’ Jack White who performed the theme with Alicia Keys. “The song ‘Another Way To Die’ is about trust,” said White. “After reading the script, I started to focus on Bond and his inability to trust anyone, even himself.”

Quantum of Solace had its royal world premiere on 29th October 2008 at the Odeon Leicester Square and would go on to earn a phenomenal box office gross of $586 million, the highest to date for a 007 film. With Bond realising the limits of revenge, it stands as an important stage in Daniel Craig’s evolution of the character. Next up: Skyfall.

Available to buy: James Bond Daniel Craig Quantum of Solace t-shirt £29.00 and Quantum of Solace Blu-ray £15.

Bond In Motion In Prague

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Bond in Motion is now open at Křižík Pavilions, Prague, Czechia, until April 1st 2024. Previously held in Brussels, Belgium, the exhibition covers six decades of 007 history and includes over 75 vehicles. 

Two exciting travel experiences are available to enjoy your visit in signature 007 style. The 007 Weekend package includes VIP tickets to the exhibit plus a one night stay at Grand Hotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, as featured in Casino Royale. You can also book a ride to Bond in Motion in a Land Rover Defender 007 from No Time To Die.

Every ticket purchased will enter you into a special prize draw for the chance to win: Two Aston Martin VIP weekend paddock tickets for the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix 2024; a two day trip to the Triumph factory in England; A Triumph Tiger 900 James Bond super limited edition motorcycle; and five weekends for two people to the Grand Hotel Pupp.

Bond in Motion’s new location was announced at the British Embassy in Prague with Maryam d’Abo in attendance, who played Kara in The Living Daylights. Maryam was reunited with the Aston Martin V8 featured in the film. The exhibition opened on December 7th.

Book your tickets now at www.bondinmotion.cz.

James Bond Destinations Book By Assouline

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James Bond Destinations, a new book chronicling the iconic locations of 007’s adventures, has been published by luxury lifestyle publisher Assouline.

Written by Daniel Pembrey, James Bond Destinations explores many of the Bond franchise’s stunning settings that feature in 007’s international itineraries. As the cinematic standard was set with Bond’s debut in 1962’s Dr. No, 007 forever became the quintessential travelling secret agent, journeying from monasteries in Meteora and baroque Venetian palazzos to marble palaces in India and ancient Egyptian temples. The 25 Bond films have included more than a hundred incredible locations.  

“These destinations are not just backgrounds, or even backgrounds that simply inform characters. In our movies, they are characters,” said producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The franchise has established itself as inspiration for international travel, showcasing unspoilt beaches, mystical mountains and glamorous cityscapes. “You have to find places that haven’t been seen, or you have to think of doing something spectacular in a well-known place, as we did with the chase through Rome in 2015’s Spectre,” added producer Michael G. Wilson. 

Each chapter is filled with on-set stories, memorable scenes and production photography that captures the craft of making a Bond film. James Bond Destinations is the perfect travel companion to look back on six decades of 007. 

James Bond Destinations is available now in hardback at 007Store.com priced at £100.

007: Road To A Million Trailer Revealed

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The first trailer for 007: Road To A Million has been released on James Bond Day (October 5). The Prime Video adventure show will launch on November 10, 2023. 

007: Road To A Million sees nine contestant duos attempt to win a life-changing £1 million prize by completing a series of Bond-inspired challenges across the globe, answering ten questions masterminded by The Controller, actor Brian Cox. For each correct answer, a team banks an incremental sum of money – but one wrong move and their adventure is over.

Locations inspired by 007’s travels are featured in the series, from the beautiful Scottish Highlands and the isolated Atacama Desert in Chile, to the majestic Swiss Alps and streets of Venice. Each acting as the backdrop to nerve-wracking physical obstacles and challenging missions to be completed by contestants in order to go through to the next stage and be one step closer to the £1 million prize.

007: Road To A Million will air in over 240 countries worldwide and is a unique collaboration between Amazon Studios, EON Productions, 72 Films and MGM Television. 

If you are interested in taking part in Series Two, click here to apply. The deadline for applications is 31st October 2023. Contestants need to be 18+ and you must be a UK resident to take part. For full terms and conditions see application form.

Cypher 007 Mobile Game Launches

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Cypher 007 is a new James Bond action-adventure mobile game available exclusively on Apple Arcade.  

In this top-down game, the player becomes Agent 007 and visits some of Bond’s most iconic moments. Blofeld, criminal mastermind and head of SPECTRE has hatched a plan to sabotage Bond.  This time he has utilised a brainwashing technique known as CYPHER, holding Bond captive in a trance like state in an attempt to turn him into the ultimate double agent. Bond’s mission is to escape the mind trap, defeat Blofeld and shut down the CYPHER program by gathering intel and using spycraft to overcome obstacles as threats get progressively more difficult.

Players embark on a refreshing yet nostalgic journey alongside beloved characters: M, Q, and Moneypenny. While the essence of the characters remains timeless, none of them mirror any specific cast from the films. The gameplay sees players interact with gadgets, collectables, and enemies and the missions all have multiple paths to completion.

“Alongside MGM and Tilting Point, we developed a narrative that explores the psychological depths of James Bond, a facet that Ian Fleming beautifully portrayed in his novels but is a challenge to visually represent,” Gregg Wilson, associate producer explains. “This game, with its unique storyline, provides an immersive way of experiencing the complex world of the character.”  

The narrative’s core concept – Bond retracing steps from his previous missions – provided an opportunity to handpick the most iconic and exhilarating locations from Bond’s cinematic history. The team collaborated closely with crew members such as Neal Callow from the films’ Art Department to ensure the game’s visual elements and gadgets aligned with the distinctive aesthetic of our franchise.

Players will receive a 007 ranking that may be improved by progression through the game as well as performance on specific missions. Each ranking will be visible on a leaderboard so players will be able to see how they perform versus other players worldwide.

Cypher 007, available exclusively on Apple Arcade. Click here to download and play today.

Q’s London Home

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How do you design the personal abode of a well-loved character, away from his work environment? That was the assignment for the production design team on No Time To Die who created Q’s home. 

The plot

Introducing Q’s house to the audience gave a glimpse into the personal life of the man behind the gadgets. Producer Michael G. Wilson explains, “After meeting M, Moneypenny asks Bond if they can go to dinner. He says, ‘Fine’, and they end up going to Q’s house. We see Q’s domestic situation for the first time, with his hairless cats, and he’s preparing for a friend coming for dinner. It is great to see Moneypenny, Bond and Q back together. It’s the usual banter and humour we’ve come to expect from these characters. Q reluctantly helps out Bond. He knows it’s not something sanctioned by M and MI6, but he senses something is wrong. Q gets into the database that Bond gives him and begins to see issues that affect the plot. It takes us on to the next phase of the film.” 

The London location

Art Director Sandra Phillips, who worked on No Time To Die and Quantum of Solace, gave Q a “lovely two up-two down,” based on a Victorian terrace in Roupell Street, a conservation area near Waterloo train station. While the real Roupell Street exterior was used for the scene where Bond and Moneypenny turn up unannounced, interrupting his dinner preparations, the interior of Q’s home was a set built on the Richard Attenborough Stage at Pinewood Studios, which featured an open-plan ground floor with interconnected living space, kitchen-diner and terraced garden. 

The interior design

“It was fun to create Q’s London home,” says Mark Tildesley, Production Designer on No Time To Die. “We’ve given him a house that’s in central London, not far from Waterloo station, so that he can cycle to work. He has a small cottage – a Victorian, old traditional cottage – just off of Waterloo, which is cosy. A bit Q really, a bit like his jumpers and various pieces. It was designed to be slightly quirky.” 

Revealing character through decor

“When we were thinking about him as a character, we were trying to make him very normal and domestic at home, not a crazy boffin,” explains Mark Tildesley. “We feature him cooking and taking care of his cats. It was fun to have time to see his personal life.” 

“He’s not a cold scientist,” adds set decorator Véronique Melery, who made her 007 debut with No Time To Die. “We decided he was a guy of great taste and warmth, perhaps warmer than the audience could imagine. Q’s a young person living in the world like anyone else but having a great curiosity about science and gadgets. He’s a kind person, loves music, is a great chef, and has a new potential relationship.”

Q’s home style

When it came to furnishings, it was important that every item reflected Q’s personality. “He’s very dapper, very smartly put together, so obviously cares about things,” notes Sandra Phillips. “His home is well looked after, even if it’s slightly chaotic. We had lots of Georgian influences, but tried to use a lot of dark blues and reds. It was a rich mixture of textures and colours, so it felt very lived-in. Lots of dark wood and low, moody lighting.” 

Q’s kitchen was purpose built from scratch. “It’s not one you could get from Ikea,” says Véronique Melery, who filled the culinary space with “interesting pots and things around the kitchen that I was buying in John Lewis or Peter Jones – the shops where you go to get good, quality stuff.” His furniture was procured mostly from second-hand shops and the sofa from a property store. The room was also filled with coasters and placemats that declared Q’s love for the royal family. “He is a royalist, a traditionalist,” Véronique explains. “He likes the tacky image these funny little knick-knacks convey.” And Q’s book shelves were curated carefully too. ​​”We talked about books that were related to his work: science, discoveries, physics and mathematics. Plus books about music, history and biographies,” Véronique says. 

Q the musician

Set decorator Véronique Melery envisaged Q as a composer of electronic music so looked to create a homemade keyboard. Help came from an unlikely source as Associate Producer Gregg Wilson, who, with Q like ingenuity, had built his own modular synthesiser. Veronique created a yellow three-dimensional structure hung on the wall to absorb and reverberate the sound. The work also played into Q’s taste in art which Veronique calls “not entirely mainstream. We thought he would like artists who are more instinctive than cerebral.” The idea of Q as a culture vulture came from his first meeting with Bond at the National Portrait Gallery in Skyfall.

Q’s pets

For Ben Whishaw, the at home scene was an opportunity to show a more rounded life of a Quartermaster. “He’s got two cats that we learn about in Spectre, but these cats are hairless cats and very, very beautiful actually,” Ben said. “They are highly intelligent, very charming and well behaved.” 

Véronique Melery felt the Egyptian Sphinx cats perfectly represented their owner. “They are a bit like him – slightly different,” she says. ”Q really takes great care of them. He’s built a little labyrinth on high so the cats can lie about and there are nests for them to sleep in. The cats were very well behaved on set and talkative – they liked to express themselves!” 

The Final Verdict

“I really loved seeing his home environment. Seeing what his habitat is like away from MI6 and how much there is still of him in it and some of the kind of quirky and peculiar things that are going on there,” says Ben Whishaw. “It’s still like a work environment really. I don’t think he’s someone who ever really stops working or thinking. I think it’s been growing in several of the recent films, the kind of tension between having a private life and having a family life; having a relationship and also your commitment to your work.”

Add some Quartermaster style to your home. Q’s bone china mug showing the periodic table in full colour, made by McLaggan Smith, as seen on his desk in No Time To Die is available to buy here priced £14.95.

The 007 London Walking Tour

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Use our Google map tours linked below or the pinned locations map here to explore 007’s London. 

Part 1 – Google map tour here (4 hours) 

Vauxhall 

Start south of the river at Vauxhall, home to the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) site, Vauxhall Cross. This imposing building overlooking Vauxhall Bridge has played Bond’s MI6 HQ in a number of films since debuting in 1995’s GoldenEye. On screen it has come under attack in The World Is Not Enough, Skyfall, and Spectre. Vauxhall Cross also appears as an establishing shot in Die Another Day, and the film’s writers go on to acknowledge the building’s real-life name with scenes set below MI6 in the fictional Vauxhall Cross tube station. 

Victoria  

Head north across Vauxhall Bridge to take a look at the home of 007’s creator Ian Fleming at 16 Victoria Square. Nestled between Buckingham Palace and Victoria Station, the property was his London base from 1953 and is designed by early Victorian architect Sir Matthew Wyatt. 

Belgravia  

While GoldenEye in Jamaica is Ian Fleming’s most famous home, his flat at 22B Ebury Street just streets away in Belgravia played a prominent role in his younger years. The building was formerly the Pimlico Literary Institution and now features an English Heritage blue plaque commemorating Fleming’s time there from 1936 to 1941. 

Notting Hill 

Walk north west across Hyde Park to St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Moscow Road. The interior is filled with ornate Byzantine mosaics and doubled for the St. Petersburg church where Natalya meets Boris Grishenko in GoldenEye.  

King’s Cross  

Turn east and through Marylebone to St. Pancras Station on Euston Road. GoldenEye features St. Pancras Station, re-casting it as St. Petersburg Station for the scene where Natalya arrives by train and tries to elude the authorities.

Mayfair 

Go south into central London to DUKES bar on St. James’s Place in Mayfair, one of Ian Fleming’s favourite spots and which is sometimes linked with 007’s famous martini.

The Mall  

A short walk away is tourist favourite Buckingham Palace. Its surroundings can be seen in Die Another Day as Gustav Graves parachutes in to receive his knighthood from the Queen. Madeleine Swann is seen crossing the Mall and in St James’s Park on her way to her office in No Time To Die (2021). 

St James’s

Not far from the royal residence is Boodle’s Club in St James’s Street, said to have been part of Fleming’s inspiration for Blades Club, which appears prominently in his 1955 novel Moonraker. 

One of the many nods to Bond history in Die Another Day (2002) is the appropriation of the name Blades for the fencing club where Bond duels with Gustav Graves. Sited at The Reform Club, a private members club in nearby Pall Mall, it’s here that Madonna makes her cameo appearance. The Reform Club was also used in Quantum Of Solace (2008), doubling as the Foreign Office for the scene where M meets the Foreign Secretary.  

Just round the corner you’ll find the white stucco-faced buildings of Carlton House Terrace which are used as the exterior for Madeleine Swann’s office in No Time To Die. 

Part 2 – Google map tour here (1.5 hours)

The West End 

Head just north of Oxford Circus where you’ll find The Langham on Portland Place which doubled for Bond’s luxury Russian hotel in St. Petersburg in 1995’s GoldenEye.

Covent Garden  

Head along Oxford Street towards The Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street which was used for the Spectre Foreign Office scene where C is anointed as the Head of Nine Eyes.

Walk through Covent Garden to Rules, said to be one of the oldest restaurants in London where M, Q and Moneypenny meet in Spectre. If you make a dinner reservation, you can request ‘M’s table’ for your meal.

Trafalgar Square 

Not far away is The National Gallery which memorably features in 2012’s Skyfall, hosting the first meeting between Bond and his new Q. They meet in Room 34 where a melancholy Bond is gazing at The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner. Turner’s famous oil painting depicts one of the final great warships from 1805’s Battle of Trafalgar being towed away for scrap, mirroring Bond’s potential future following the closure of the double-O programme. 

Nearby Malaysia House, just off Trafalgar Square on Cockspur Street, appeared in 1987’s The Living Daylights as Universal Exports, the front for MI6. 

And just round the corner is 35 Spring Gardens, which acted as the exterior of the safe house where M, Q and Moneypenny meet in Spectre (2015).

The Strand 

Stroll down The Strand for the next two destinations. The real-life London Underground enjoyed a starring role in Skyfall when villain Silva escapes MI6. While much of the action was shot at Pinewood Studios, filmmakers captured vital scenes on a disused Jubilee Line platform at Charing Cross Station, although on screen the chase sequence unfolds between Temple and Embankment stations. Further along the road from the train station, Somerset House doubled as St. Petersburg in GoldenEye with the production importing 40 Russian cars to drive around the courtyard for the scene where Bond and CIA operative Jack Wade break down in their rusty blue car. Somerset House also enjoyed a role in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies as Bond pulls up for a meeting with M in his iconic Aston Martin DB5. 

Part 3 – Google map tour here (2 hours)

Whitehall  

From Somerset House, head to The Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall which features in 2012’s Skyfall. The production shot on the rooftop, capturing the scene in which Moneypenny gives Bond the ceramic bulldog that M bequeathed to him in her will. 

The Ministry of Defence Main Building also in Whitehall took on the role of the MI6 offices for 2021’s No Time To Die. The building had previously played itself in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only. 

And nearby is the Old War Office Building, which doubles as MI6 in 1983’s Octopussy. 

Spectre’s final scene, which sees Bond and Madeleine drive off to a new life together in his DB5, was also shot in Whitehall, close to the Department for Business and Trade. 

Westminster 

The moment in Die Another Day when Bond enters Vauxhall Cross underground station ahead of meeting M, was filmed on the south side of Westminster Bridge. Walk to Big Ben and across Westminster Bridge which was also the backdrop to Spectre’s climax as Blofeld’s helicopter crashes and Bond has the opportunity to kill his nemesis but decides to let him live.  

Southwark 

Leaving Westminster Bridge, enjoy a long walk east as you head towards Southwark. Formerly the home of the Greater London Assembly and the Mayor of London, City Hall in Southwark appears in 2015’s Spectre as the home of the Centre for National Security.  

The City 

Enjoy the views from London Bridge as you go back over the river to The City. The Drapers’ Hall on Throgmorton Avenue was used to double as the Russian Council Chamber, St. Petersburg in 1995’s GoldenEye. Next stop is Blackfriars Pier on White Lion Hill next to the River Thames for the last part of your tour by water.

The River Thames & Docklands 

Take a boat trip along the Thames and take in some familiar sights both west and east. The river plays a prominent role in 1999’s The World Is Not Enough, which sees Bond pursuing the Cigar Girl assassin in the Q Jet Boat. The chase goes past the Houses of Parliament, through Tower Bridge to Docklands and the O2 Arena (or the Millennium Dome as it was known at the time) where Bond skids down the domed roof. Bond’s mid-air barrel roll in the Q Jet Boat was filmed at nearby Millwall Docks. 

Part 4 – Google map tour here (2 minutes)

Greenwich 

Your final destination is in east London. Disembark at Greenwich Pier and walk through the Cutty Sark Gardens to explore the Old Royal Naval College where Skyfall (2012) was filmed. It was also used for the scene where M attends the funerals of the MI6 agents killed in the terrorist attack. 

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Handcraft Your Very Own Aston Martin DB5

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With a monthly subscription from Agora Models, you can now enjoy building your very own museum-quality 1:8 scale Silver Birch DB5 from No Time To Die. The car is an exact replica of Bond’s Matera vehicle complete with LED changing number plates, tyre slashers, bulletproof glass, M134 mini-guns that extend from behind the headlights, mine dispenser with dropping mini-mines, full command control panel with slider smokescreen control, working ejector seat with button and roof markings. It also includes replicas of the distinctive side strakes that were used to eject shells from the mini-guns, chrome bumpers, and 12-inch crossbow wheels. You can even choose to reflect the extensive damage caused in the Matera attack, or keep the model in pristine condition!

Agora Models have worked closely with Aston Martin and EON Productions to create these specialist model kits designed from the original plans, photography and intricate laser scanning. There are over 500 pieces, all body parts arrive pre-painted and the car will be completed in 12 months. No painting and very little gluing is required, just a screwdriver that comes in Box 1.

Agora Models offer premium quality kits and ship globally from USA, UK, Australia, EU and Japan hubs. The DB5 subscription is available to pre-order now at 007Store.com.

Brian Cox To Appear In 007: Road To A Million

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Emmy and Golden Globe winning Scottish actor Brian Cox (currently on screens as Logan Roy in Succession) has been cast as ‘The Controller’, the enigmatic character who controls the fate of the contestants in 007: Road To A Million.

007: Road To A Million will see contestants competing in teams of two on a global adventure to win the ultimate prize of up to £1 million. Filmed in iconic Bond locations – from the Scottish Highlands to Venice and Jamaica – this cinematic format will be a test of intelligence, endurance and heroism. In addition to conquering obstacles, the contestants, who will compete in two-person teams, must correctly answer questions hidden in the different locations around the world to advance to the next challenge.

The Controller revels in the increasingly difficult journeys and questions the contestants must overcome. He has millions of pounds to give away, but he doesn’t make it easy. Whilst he lurks in the shadows, he is watching and controlling everything.

Brian Cox said, “I got to see how ordinary people would cope with being on a James Bond adventure. As they travel the world to some of the most iconic Bond locations, it gets more intense and nail-biting. I enjoyed my role as both villain and tormentor, with license to put the hopeful participants through the mangle.”

007: Road To A Million is a unique collaboration between Amazon Studios, EON Productions, 72 Films and MGM Television. The unscripted series will launch exclusively on Prime Video later this year.

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