Olivia Colman and Conan O’Brien make a play for the James Bond role
Olivia Colman still wants into 007’s world — and Conan O’Brien just gave that dream a nudge.
On a new episode of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Olivia Colman didn’t just reiterate her long-stated wish to play M in the James Bond movies — she picked up unexpected cheerleaders. Conan O’Brien said he and co-host Matt Gourley had recently met David Heyman — the producer behind the Paddington films and, per their chat, involved with the next Bond installment — and Colman immediately chimed in that she already knows him.
Gourley reminded Colman he’s been campaigning for her as Bond’s boss for ages, and O’Brien happily egged it on. What started as a friendly tease turned into a mini casting push, with the hosts all but volunteering to make introductions.
“Okay, let’s make this happen,” Gourley said. “It has to be you.”
Colman has been open for years about wanting the MI6 desk job once held on screen by Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes. With the next 007 still a question mark, a high-profile podcast rallying behind her keeps her name in the Bond conversation — especially if that Heyman connection actually turns into a call.
Meanwhile, her new movie
While she’s pitching herself for M, Colman is drawing strong notices for her offbeat romantic comedy Wicker. The fantasy- tinged tale follows a lonely fisherwoman who commissions a husband made of wicker.
- Olivia Colman — the fisherwoman
- Alexander Skarsgård — the wicker husband
- Peter Dinklage — the basketmaker who builds him
The film ’s reviews have been glowing, with Rotten Tomatoes showing a 95% critics’ score and 92% audience score at the time of writing. Critics have singled out Colman’s performance, Skarsgård’s unexpectedly tender turn, and the movie’s strange, funny blend of romance, sensuality, and dark humor. Not everyone is sold: a few reviews cite pacing issues and a script that can’t entirely sustain its wild premise.
There’s no official word yet on who will play M — or the next James Bond.