The New 007: Masculinity and National Identity in Daniel Craig’s Incarnation of James Bond (2006–2021)

Abstract

[eng] Based on Ian Fleming’s novels, the James Bond film franchise has been up and running since 1962. With the arrival of the new century and the development of events such as Brexit or Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, Daniel Craig joined the series of actors who have embodied the character. He managed to maintain the leading role from 2006 until 2021 with No Time To Die (Fukunaga, 2021). Craig’s saga has been analysed from many different perspectives (race, power, politics…), but scholars such as Lisa Funnell and Paul Green have focused on the issues of masculinity and nationalism, respectively. This dissertation examines discourses of masculinity and national identity in Daniel Craig’s incarnation of James Bond, analysing the five films in which the actor appears. It will be argued that this new version of Bond embodies the combination of hegemonic masculinity and a less sexist character, while maintaining his inherent Britishness