Q&A

Q: I know James Bond's code number is 007, but was there a 001?

« Back to Q & A

 
Author: 
Adam Thomlison / TV Media

The answer depends on what you consider to be canon in the James Bond universe -- that is to say, what constitutes authentic James Bond content. Neither author Ian Fleming, who created the character in a series of novels, nor Eon Productions, the company that adapted those novels into a mega-grossing film franchise, gave us a 001.

But if you take a more liberal approach to canon, then 001 does exist -- he's a senior agent who appears briefly in a novel written by Raymond Benson.

After Ian Fleming died, his estate allowed other authors to carry on writing Bond novels -- a controversial but popular practice. Benson was one of those authors, and in his book "Doubleshot" he gives us the only reference to 001.

In a sense, this is a case study justifying the practice of allowing other writers to carry on an author's work (and copyright) after death. Fleming had created a rich spy world with plenty of unexplored avenues.

Indeed, Fleming himself actually gave us the smallest number of 00 agents. His books only mention five, including Bond himself.

The movies, on the other hand, (which, it should be noted, are likely how most people know Bond and his universe) mention 11. Most notably, they gave us 006, who was (25-year-old spoiler ahead) the villain of the 1995 film "GoldenEye."

 

Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided.

Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided.