The Bond Girl that defines each of the 6 James Bond actors

Of all the Bond girls, only a few have come close to capturing the heart of the elusive James Bond. What began in the early 1960s as a novel adaptation has turned into a world-renowned film franchise centering on the gentleman spy James Bond and his ability to seduce women in the blink of an eye. However, Bond is not always as impartial as he seems and has also fallen in love with several women over the years.

As Bond 26 approaches and the search for the next Bond girl continues, there are already several iconic Bond girls to draw inspiration from. Just as every James Bond actor put their own spin on their films, so did the female counterparts they had. The James Bond franchise has evolved over the years to feature a variety of well-written female characters, but every Bond actor also has a woman who stands out among the rest as the best Bond girl for them.

6

Sylvia Trench played by Eunice Gayson

Sean Connery’s Love Interest in Dr. No and Russia with Love

For Sean Connery’s Bond, Sylvia Trench is his most important romantic partner. While Sylvia isn’t one of the best characters in the franchise, as she lacks any complexity outside of her relationship with Bond, she is significant to his life. Eunice Gayson appears as Sylvia in both Dr. No and From Russia with love. The fact that Bond has a recurring love interest is huge for his character, given his typical disinterest in commitment.

Sylvia also has a huge influence on Bond, as it was she who gave him the idea for his iconic catchphrase, introducing herself as “Trench, Sylvia Trench.” Sean Connery had several Bond girls, but Sylvia stands out as his closest attempt at love because she only appeared twice in his life. What her character lacked in complexity was made up for by her recurrence.

5

Countess Teresa “Tracy” di Vicenzo played by Diana Rigg

George Lazenby’s love interest in Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Of all the Bond girls, Tracy di Venzo is Bond’s true love. In In Her Majesty’s Secret ServiceDiana Rigg’s Tracy meets George Lazenby’s spy and the two develop a casual romance that soon turns into more. Although Bond is initially suspicious of their relationship, he and Tracy fall in love. in one of the most unusual events to happen in a Bond film.

Unfortunately, Bond’s happy ending doesn’t last forever. Near the end of the film, Tracy is killed in a shooting. Tracy’s effect on Bond is not limited to George Lazenby’s version of 007. For your eyes onlyRoger Moore’s Bond leaves flowers on his grave, showing that the spy’s love for Tracy goes beyond the actors’ limits as a character, a tribute to the continuity of Ian Fleming’s novels.

4

Octopus played by Maud Adams

Roger Moore’s love interest in Octopussy

Maud Adam is Roger Moore’s defining love interest because Octopussy is Bond’s partner. A brilliant genius and complex character, Octopussy stands out as one of the best Bond girls. The two also had excellent chemistry and seemed like great partners.

Roger Moore’s Bond was very charming, so he needed a Bond girl to match that energy, and Adams’ Octopussy was that woman. So many Bond girls exist just to have a relationship with Bond, but Octopussy stands out for being a completely complex character in his own right. Their similar status makes them a great pair and the closest Roger Moore’s Bond has come to finding love.

3

Kara Milovy played by Maryam d’Abo

Timothy Dalton’s love interest in The Living Daylights

Maryam d’Abo’s portrayal of Kara Milovy in The living lights of the day proves that Kara is the closest Timothy Dalton’s Bond has come to finding love. Kara is a complex character with her own motivations and fears, although she works well with Bond. A cellist turned spy, Kara avoids the damsel in distress trope, she can be alone and find Bond on his level.

Kara starts out as an antagonist to Bond, but they begin to develop a close relationship as they work together. They also make mistakes a few times, but in the end they decide that working together is better than fighting. The final moments of The living lights of the day solidify the view that Kara is Bond’s true love from that era when he surprises Kara in her dressing room with Moore’s most romantic line: “You didn’t think I would miss this performance, did you?“

2

Wai Lin played by Michelle Yeoh

Pierce Brosnan’s Love Interest in Tomorrow Never Dies

Since most of Pierce Brosnan’s love interests as Bond end up being murderous villainshis list of female counterparts who have the potential to be his true love is quite short. As a result, only one name makes it to the top of the list: Wai Lin, played by Michelle Yeoh. Wai is not only a great ally of Bond in Tomorrow never diesbut she’s also an incredibly skilled agent.

Their overlapping skills and romantic tension solidify Wai Lin as the best Bond girl of the Brosnan era. Although Bond and Wai had less potential for love than some of the other Bond girls, they still made a good match. Her initial rejection of Bond’s attempts to seduce her also paints her as one of the most realistic female characters in the Bond franchise. and acts as a refreshing change of pace for Pierce Brosnan’s Bond.

1

Vesper Lynd played by Eva Green

Daniel Craig’s love interest in Casino Royale

No other Bond girl can take Vesper Lynd’s place as Daniel Craig’s true love in his time playing 007. Bond’s indifference towards love dates back to his tragic love affair with Eva Green’s Vesper. As a double agent, Vesper gains Bond’s trust in Royal Casinoonly to betray him later. Feeling overwhelmed with guilt, Vesper chooses to lock herself in an elevator that slowly fills with water, rendering Bond unable to save her.

Bond’s response to Vesper’s death highlights the painful nature of their relationship. He can no longer open himself up to love in the same way he could in Royal Casinowhile Vesper’s betrayal and final goodbye continue to haunt him. Although love is uncommon in a James Bond film, Vesper Lynd is definitely one of the most striking examples of love in the franchise.