Daisy May Cooper has been tipped to take on an iconic role in the series (Picture: Shutterstock/PA)
Comedian Daisy May Cooper is reportedly in talks to join the 007 franchise to play spy boss M.
It has been said producers were hoping the 36-year-old actress – who is a friend of No Time to Die co-writer Phoebe Waller Bridge – would bring a ‘comedic and quirky edge’ to the role.
Previously, the iconic part has been played by acting heavyweights Dame Judi Dench, 88, and 60-year-old Ralph Fiennes, however the change in tone is seemingly part of a shake-up of the series after Daniel Craig’s departure as James Bond.
A source told The Sun: ‘Daisy is a close pal of Phoebe, whose involvement in Bond was such a success that it sparked an unlikely conversation.
‘Suddenly the production team were getting excited about the prospect of really taking M in a different direction.
‘With Daniel leaving, it seemed the time to start looking at changes across the board and the dynamic between Bond and ‘M’ is at the heart of the films.
The star is reportedly being considered due to her friendship with a writer on the movie (Picture: WireImage)
She is set to play spy boss M (Picture: WireImage)
‘So this opens the door to it being a bit lighter and more comedic going forwards – and will of course impact the direction the new 007 goes in too’.
The publication added that film insiders had said the decision to return to a female M
was another sign the next Bond will remain male after speculation the spy’s gender could be changed for the next instalment.
Phoebe and Daisy’s involvement in the next Bond could bring a shift in the 007 series back to its more comedic elements, displayed in Sean Connery and Roger Moore’s eras as the spy.
The change in tone is reportedly in response to the departure of Daniel Craig (Picture: Shutterstock)
Judi Dench is among others to have taken on the role (Picture: WireImage)
Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service M has appeared since James Bond’s beginning in the Ian Fleming novels and was based on the writer’s superior in the Naval Intelligence Division during World War Two.
After gaining critical acclaim and a Bafta for her role in BBC mockumentary This Country, Daisy made her black comedy Am I Being Unreasonable? for BBC1, which also received rave reviews.
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The drama also stars Lenny Rush and follows a woman in the process of grieving a secret loss while navigating a depressing marriage.
Metro.co.uk contacted Daisy’s reps for comment.
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Double O Daisy.