Lashana Lynch on being the first Black woman to play 007 in ‘No Time to Die’: ‘I didn’t want to waste an opportunity’
Lashana Lynch will star in the 25th James Bond film that will debut in April 2021
Lashana Lynch is a force and the whole world will soon get to see just how powerful she is when she takes on the role of 007 in No Time to Die.
The 25th James Bond film marks the first time the lead will be played by a Black woman and Lynch doesn’t take the history-making moment lightly. Her character, Nomi, takes over as 007 while James Bond is exiled and she made certain she felt good about the portrayal.
Read More: 5 things you need to know about Lashana Lynch, our new ‘007’
“A character that is too slick, a cast-iron figure? That’s completely against what I stand for,” she recently told Harpers Bazaar. “I didn’t want to waste an opportunity when it came to what Nomi might represent. I searched for at least one moment in the script where Black audience members would nod their heads, tutting at the reality but glad to see their real life represented. In every project I am part of, no matter the budget or genre, the Black experience that I’m presenting needs to be 100 percent authentic.”
Lynch’s intention to be authentic has been evident in much of her work, including her role as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel.
Read More: WATCH: Lashana Lynch reveals her favorite aspects of her ‘Captain Marvel’ character, Maria Rambeau
The highly-anticipated project was filmed in Jamaica, making the moment even sweeter for the daughter of immigrants.
“Understanding the privileges as a British-born Jamaican that my parents and grandparents gave to me because they came to England. In a way, it serves as a “thank you” to them for making the sacrifice,” she said.
Of course, Lynch became a target of social media haters as soon as news of her role as 007 broke, but the criticism hasn’t deterred her one bit.
“I am one Black woman — if it were another Black woman cast in the role, it would have been the same conversation, she would have got the same attacks, the same abuse,” she said. “I just have to remind myself that the conversation is happening and that I’m a part of something that will be very, very revolutionary.”
Check out the full interview here.
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