The Forgotten James Bond Jr. Series: Why 007’s Nephew Vanished
James Bond Jr., the animated show about 007’s nephew, ran for 65 episodes but has never seen an official home release. Decades later, it remains a lost chapter in the Bond legacy, quietly ignored by the franchise’s stewards.
For years, the James Bond franchise has stood apart from the wave of interconnected universes that have taken over Hollywood. While other properties have spun off into endless sequels, prequels, and TV tie-ins, Bond has mostly stuck to its own lane. But with Amazon MGM Studios now holding the reins, the idea of a sprawling Bond universe is no longer far-fetched. Reality shows like Road to a Million have already made their mark, and it wouldn’t be shocking if more spin-offs are on the horizon.
Yet, long before the current push for expansion, there was one attempt to branch out that the franchise would rather forget. In the early '90s, a generation of kids tuned in to James Bond Jr., an animated series that followed the adventures of 007’s nephew. Despite running for a hefty 65 episodes, the show was canceled after just one season and has never been officially released on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, or any streaming platform. These days, the only way to watch it is through unofficial uploads online.
Bond’s Animated Offshoot
The premise of James Bond Jr. is as odd as it sounds. Instead of focusing on the legendary spy himself, the show centers on his nephew, who attends Warfield Academy. Alongside friends like IQ (the grandson of Q) and Gordo Leiter (Felix Leiter’s son), he faces off against a mix of new and familiar villains, including Goldfinger’s daughter, Goldie Finger, and returning foes like Oddjob, Nick Nack, and Jaws. The series tried to capture the spirit of the movies, but it never quite hit the mark, and the rights holders have largely tried to erase it from memory.
As writer Terrence McDonnell put it,
“The fact remains that after almost 30 years, this show about James Bond, or rather, his nephew, has never officially been released on DVD to the public, as far as I know. If it’s true, that says a lot. Maybe someday everyone will get a chance to see it, maybe not. Maybe the owners want to leave it and let it die a quiet death.”
Behind the Scenes: Why It Happened
The story behind James Bond Jr. is tied to a complicated chapter in the franchise’s history. During the long gap between Licence to Kill and GoldenEye, the Bond brand was in limbo. At the same time, Kevin McClory, who held rights to certain Bond elements and produced Never Say Never Again, was looking to launch his own animated series. To stay ahead, the official Bond team decided to create their own cartoon, hoping to keep the brand alive and maybe cash in on merchandise sales.
Premiering in September 1991, the show was a product of its time, aiming to keep Bond in the public eye during a period of uncertainty. For some '90s kids, James Bond Jr. is a nostalgic memory. For many others, it’s a piece of the franchise that’s been quietly swept under the rug, never officially acknowledged and rarely discussed.