On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are joined by Melanie Williams, Professor of Film and Television Studies, at the University of East Anglia to talk about 'Dr No'.

The author of 'From Blofeld to Moneypenny: Gender in James Bond' joins the podcast to talk about the life and work of 'Dr No' co-writer Joanna Harwood.

Melanie shares insight into the aspirations of Joanna Harwood, and how she became involved with Harry Saltzman, 'Dr No' and 'From Russia With Love'.

We learn how much of Joanna's drafts of the story made it to screen, and the attempts to write her out of the history of the Bond films.

We discuss the difficulties faced by women in the film industry, particularly around getting credit where credit's due, and how Joanna's experiences with Bond soured her filmmaking career.

We also explore Roger Moore's attempts at getting recognition for Joanna later in life, and how much she eschewed the series later in life.

Follow Melanie on Twitter: twitter.com/BritFilmMelanie

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

We've been expecting you: Professor Melanie Williams on Dr No

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast - the last one on the letter D - hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more filmmakers, characters and topics from the letter D.

In this show you'll learn about:

Dolly, Jaws' diminutive girlfriend in 'Moonraker', portrayed on screen by Blanche Ravalec. The character was a controversial addition to the series, and is the centre of a bizarre conspiracy theory.

Domino, the memorable character portrayed by Claudine Auger in 1965's 'Thunderball', and by Kim Basinger in 1983's 'Never Say Never Again'.

Lindsay Doran, a film producer and studio executive, who was the head of MGM when Pierce Brosnan starred in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'The World Is Not Enough'.

Jim Dowdall, the legendary British stuntman with many credits in the Bond films, who has worked with all the 007 actors bar one.

Marc-Ange Draco, the distinctive 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' ally portrayed by Gabriele Ferzetti, who holds a unique place in the Bond canon.

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

D Part 3: Dolly, Domino, Jim Dowdall and more

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley tackle more filmmakers, characters and topics from the letter E.

In this show you'll learn about:

The Eady Levy, a lucrative tax break for British-made films that ensured the James Bond films were made in the UK forever more.

How Idris Elba, the British actor perennially linked with being the next 007, was originally connected to the role.

Robert Elswit, the acclaimed cinematographer who lensed 'Tomorrow Never Dies' before going on to be Paul Thomas Anderson's most trust collaborator.

Eon Productions, the film company set up by Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman to produce the Bond films, and still does.

'Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007', the 2012 documentary that features incredible interviews with the key creatives behind the Bond films.

And 'James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing', the James Bond video game that featured the last ever performance of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

E: Idris Elba, Robert Elswit, Eon and more

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 F

In this show you'll learn about:

Patricia Fearing, the Bond girl portrayed by Molly Peters, who appeared in 1965's 'Thunderball' opposite Sean Connery. 

Bruce Feirstein, the writer who was instrumental in updating James Bond for the 1990s, and has credits on 'GoldenEye', 'Tomorrow Never Dies', 'The World Is Not Enough' and a number of 007 video games.

Charles K Feldman, the Hollywood mogul who was behind 1967's ill-fated 'Casino Royale' adaptation.

Strawberry Fields, the Bond girl portrayed by Gemma Arterton in her movie debut, opposite Daniel Craig in 2008's 'Quantum of Solace'.

Nick Finlayson, the special effects whizz known as the James Bond films' real-life Q, who created many of the amazing gadgets for 007 and beyond.

Jenny Flex, the Bond girl portrayed by Irish actor Alison Doody - also making her movie debut - opposite Roger Moore in 'A View To A Kill'. 

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

F Part 1: Bruce Feirstein, Strawberry Fields, Nick Finlayson and more

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley explore the life and work of James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

The episode looks at his privileged upbringing, education and early forays into employment, first as a journalist and then as a stockbroker.

Then it looks into Fleming's forays into the world of espionage, and his work during World War II in Naval Intelligence.

Finally it explores his post-war life and the events that led up to the creation of James Bond 007. We learn about how the books were written, the themes of them, and the people and places that inspired them.

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

Ian Fleming

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are joined by author Raymond Benson, the writer of 'The James Bond Bedside Companion', and the 007 continuation stories 'Zero Minus Ten', 'The Facts of Death', 'High Time To Kill', 'DoubleShot', 'Never Dream of Dying', and 'The Man With The Red Tattoo'.

Raymond joins the team to talk about the research he did into Ian Fleming for his essential Bond Bible 'The Bedside Companion'.

He talks about meeting many of Fleming's friends, contemporaries, and family including his step-children, Kevin McClory, Ivar Bryce, Ernie Cuneo.

He speaks about his writing process for the Bond continuation novels and the novelisations.

He shares his thoughts on the Fleming books, his insight into the character of 007, and much, much more.

Raymond Benson's website: https://raymondbenson.com/

Follow Raymond Benson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaymondBenson

Follow Raymond Benson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaymondBenson/

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

We've been expecting you: Raymond Benson on Ian Fleming

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 F.

In this show you'll learn about:

Tom Ford, the fashion designer who dressed Daniel Craig's Bond in 'Quantum of Solace', 'Skyfall', 'Spectre', and 'No Time To Die'.

Marc Forster, the acclaimed filmmaker who directed 'Quantum of Solace', but found himself fighting an uphill battle in production.

George MacDonald Fraser, the Scottish screenwriter and author who worked on 1983's 'Octopussy'.

Michael France, the American writer who helped reboot Bond with 'GoldenEye', but found hi contributions sidelined in arbitration. 

Miranda Frost, the Bond girl played by Rosamund Pike in 'Die Another Day'.

And Cary Joji Fukunaga, the first American Bond director who delivered  'No Time To Die'.

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

F Part 2: Tom Ford, Marc Forster, Cary Joji Fukunaga and more

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley and joined by special guest Stu Rolls (@SOLTS007) to take a deep dive into the making of 1981's 'For Your Eyes Only', starring Roger Moore as 007.

The episode explores:

How the film attempted to reboot expectations of the James Bond films following the excesses of 'Moonraker'.

How Roger Moore played a high-stakes game with producer Cubby Broccoli over his fifth outing as Bond. 

How John Glen was promoted to director after years of working through the ranks, and what he brought to the film.

The cast and crew that was assembled for the film.

The bizarre opening and closing scenes that bookend an otherwise grounded Bond thriller.

The titles, posters, song, music, premieres, release, box office and enduring legacy of the 1981 Bond film.

Stick around to the end to find out where we rank 'For Your Eyes Only' against the other films we've covered so far.

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Follow Stu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOLTS007

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

On this episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley are joined by British filmmaker, and CEO of Shogun Jonathan Sothcott Films.

Jonathan joins us to talk about his love for the James Bond films of the 1980s, particularly John Glen's 1981 debut 'For Your Eyes Only'.

He shares his favourite scenes, characters and moments, and offers his filmmaker insight into the importance of the film.

He also shares anecdotes about working with Sir Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Julian Glover, and Alison Doody.

He talks about his general love of Bond and the importance of the series to the British film industry.

He also shares his thoughts on 'No Time To Die' and the future of the 007 series.

'Nemesis', produced by Jonathan Sothcott, is out now.

Jonathan Sothcott's website: https://www.jonathansothcott.com/

Follow Jonathan Sothcott on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sothcott

Follow Jonathan Sothcott on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathansothcottproducer/

James Bond will return... in next week's James Bond's A-Z Podcast.

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

We've been expecting you: Jonathan Sothcott on For Your Eyes Only

On this festive episode of The James Bond A-Z Podcast hosts Tom Butler, Brendan Duffy, and Tom Wheatley dive headfirst into the spoilers of 'No Time To Die'.

With the 25th James Bond film now out on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K and digital, it's finally time to share our thoughts on all the twists and turns of Daniel Craig's final 007 film.

We also talk about the future of Bond, and what we're hoping to see.

There are also a couple of quizzes just for fun as we celebrate Noel Time To Die.

James Bond will return... in James Bond's A-Z Podcast, which will return in the new year after a well-earned break.

Merry Christmas, and happy new year!

Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/jamesbondatoz
Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/jamesbondatoz
Email us on: podcast@jamesbondatoz.co.uk

'No Time To Die' festive spoiler special

We are now hosting this podcast on Anchor. You can still get the latest episodes via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Hosted by three lifelong James Bond fans – film journalist Tom Butler, journalist Tom Wheatley, and improviser Brendan Duffy – The James Bond A-Z Podcast is an encyclopaedic introduction to the people behind the world’s greatest spy film franchise.

Going from A-Z, each episode covers the key creatives and characters from every James Bond film from 1962’s 'Dr No' to 2021’s 'No Time To Die', talking about Ken Adam to Max Zorin, and everything in-between (and yes, that includes 'Never Say Never Again'). 

The show shines a light on every aspect of the filmmaking process answering many of the questions you always wanted to ask about the 007 films, and we are occasionally joined by guests who offer a unique perspective on the films.

"Endearing" - Radio Times.

Note: This podcast is not affiliated with the James Bond brand, Eon, MGM or the Ian Fleming estate.

We've been expecting you: Professor Melanie Williams on Dr No

The James Bond A-Z Podcast

Related tracks