The Bond girl, reloaded: Léa Seydoux in Spectre

By Kristina Moskalenko

Beauty, brains, and a PhD — meet the new Bond girl who rewrites the rules.

A Bond girl is a Bond girl — but must the furniture suffer?

Spectre, the 24th James Bond film, 007 is back — with high-speed chases, stunning locations, and not one but two unforgettable Bond women. Shot across moody London, sun-soaked Mexico, snow-covered Austria, sultry Morocco and glittering Rome, the film delivers big on style and atmosphere.

But here’s the twist: fewer gadgets, more emotion — and a Bond girl who doesn’t wait to be rescued.

Enter Léa Seydoux, the cool, luminous French star who plays psychologist Dr. Madeleine Swann. “Madeleine saves Bond,” Seydoux smiles. “Not the other way around.”

Monica Bellucci smoulders as a glamorous widow, giving Bond a night to remember in ornate Italian interiors. But it’s Seydoux’s Swann who steals the show — and his heart — with intelligence and restraint.

Fashion note: those sparkling earrings? From British jeweller David Deyong — surprisingly chic, and totally attainable.

So yes, Bond still gets the girl. But this time, she gets the last word.

Inside Room 125: A Conversation with the New Bond Girl, Léa Seydoux

Ahead of the Spectre premiere, we made our way to London’s elegant Corinthia Hotel, where Room 125 was reserved for a very special guest. There, amid the buzz of the global press tour, Léa Seydoux welcomed RR to speak about her role in the latest Bond film, why the women in Spectre might just outshine Bond himself — and which actor she finds genuinely attractive.

At first, Seydoux appeared slightly reserved. Her translucent porcelain skin, delicate wrists, and fine ankles gave her an air of fragile grace — almost otherworldly. But don’t be deceived. The French star of Blue Is the Warmest Colour quickly revealed herself to be spirited, bold, and unmistakably feminist.

Kristina Moskalenko: Léa, have you watched the film yourself?
Léa Seydoux: Yes — just two days ago. On one hand, I really liked it. But it’s hard to view my own performance objectively. For me, Spectre is more than just a film — it was a full year of my life, emotionally intense and creatively rich. Everyone I worked with became part of that adventure. And the music! I was incredibly moved when I saw the final cut with Sam Smith’s soundtrack — it adds so much emotion.

Kristina Moskalenko: Tell us about your character — Dr. Madeleine Swann. She’s no ordinary Bond girl. She pushes him away at first, then wins him over. What makes her so irresistible?
Léa Seydoux: Madeleine is stronger than any Bond girl before her. She doesn’t fall for him at first glance. In fact, she tells him to back off. She has a doctorate in psychology, and she’s the daughter of a man who was part of a criminal organization. So when she meets Bond, she knows exactly what world he’s from — she understands his trauma, his emotions.

She saves his life, too — and she defeats one of the villains herself. That’s pretty revolutionary for a Bond film. Before I was offered the role, I thought “Bond girl” was a total cliché. When the offer came, I thought it was strange. I never saw myself as the Bond girl type — at least not in the traditional sense.

Kristina Moskalenko: So, what was your idea of a Bond girl before Spectre?
Léa Seydoux: Sexy — like Monica Bellucci. To me, she is the ultimate Bond girl. When they offered me the role, I asked at least ten times, “Are you sure you want me for this?” I didn’t think I was the embodiment of classic femininity. But they wanted to refresh the Bond-girl image — and I fit that modern, more independent version.

Now that I’ve seen the film, I understand why they chose me. And honestly? I’m proud to see a strong woman in a Bond movie.

Kristina Moskalenko: And Bond falls in love with this strong, independent woman! For once, it feels like real love…
Léa Seydoux: Exactly! When I read the script, I thought — this is a love story.

Kristina Moskalenko: How did things go between you and Monica Bellucci on set? She’s the ‘other’ Bond woman — or perhaps more accurately, Bond’s lady — and appears before you on screen.
Léa Seydoux: Her scene is absolutely beautiful! I only wish we saw more of her — she’s on screen for just three minutes. And can you believe it? She’s 50 and shot such a sensual, elegant scene. I think it’s brilliant.

As for me — I’m completely a product of my generation. And so is Madeleine. She’s modern. I really feel that.

Honestly, I think today’s men are more feminine than they used to be, and women more masculine. Men are learning to embrace their emotional side. Just look at the new Bond — he’s sensitive, romantic, vulnerable. Audiences feel his emotions.

He’s much less traditionally masculine than past Bonds — and that’s a good thing. It brings men and women closer to equality.

Kristina Moskalenko: Did you have to learn anything new for the role?
Léa Seydoux: Oh, absolutely. First of all, the film’s in English — and I’m French. Then, there’s the sheer scale of the production: people from every corner of the world, working at the highest level. And Sam Mendes — an Oscar winner!

Our crew was the crème de la crème. You step onto a set like that and wonder: am I good enough? Can I rise to this level? It’s humbling.

Kristina Moskalenko: There’s a myth that playing a Bond girl can hurt your career — many actresses supposedly disappeared after the role. Did that cross your mind?
Léa Seydoux: Not at all. Honestly? When names like Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig, and Christoph Waltz are involved, it’s hard to say no. I don’t like pretension, so I’ll say it clearly: I’m proud to be a Bond girl.

Even if the next film doesn’t have Craig or Mendes — if Madeleine Swann returns, I’ll play her again without hesitation.

Kristina Moskalenko: You filmed across multiple countries — Mexico for the Day of the Dead, the Austrian Alps at the ICE Q restaurant (3,048m above sea level), the Moroccan desert, and Rome. What was your favorite location?
Léa Seydoux: London! We filmed there too. I don’t like heights, I don’t like heat, and I’m claustrophobic. London was perfect — grey, calm, and just right for me.

Kristina Moskalenko: Back in 2011, you played a villain in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. This time, you’re the good girl — and a doctor, no less. Which one do you prefer?
Léa Seydoux: Tough question. Madeleine Swann is a more layered role, and I’m on screen much more in Spectre. But I’ll say this — I love fighting on screen!

Kristina Moskalenko: So who’s more your type: Tom Cruise (Mission: Impossible) or Daniel Craig (James Bond)?
Léa Seydoux: Daniel, definitely. He’s more grounded, more reachable. A gentleman — and a feminist.

Tom Cruise? Great actor. He’s changed now, but back in the day, I adored the first Mission: Impossible.

Kristina Moskalenko: You’ve said you think feminists will actually like the new Bond film. Why?
Léa Seydoux: Because he’s fighting for women’s rights now! I consider myself a feminist — not militant, but quietly strong. I love seeing that I can shape my own career and life.

Here in Europe, that’s more possible. Hollywood, on the other hand… still has some catching up to do. I’ve heard, from people like Jennifer Lawrence, that women are still paid less than men for the same work. I honestly don’t understand why that’s still happening. But it will change.

Bond’s already changing.

As our time ends, Léa rises — and with a gentle nudge of her elegant foot, effortlessly moves a heavy coffee table out of the way.

And it’s suddenly clear: no Bond girl curse here.

It’s her time now — the era of women with PhDs, punchy comebacks, and full agency to tell Bond to get lost… and still fall for him, on their terms.

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Originally published at: https://russianroulette.eu/devushka-bonda-novogo-pokoleniya/