Actor Lennie James has confirmed his involvement in the upcoming Bond origin game 007: First Light—and, in doing so, revealed that Patrick Gibson will portray the game’s young version of James Bond.
In a recent interview with Screen Rant, James was asked whether he would be interested in joining a future Bond film. His response casually revealed that he’s already involved in the franchise—just not on the big screen:
“And I really enjoyed my time doing the game, and acting through those scenes with Patty Gibson, who played Bond. They’ve got the franchise now, Amazon, and I’m sure they’re going to come up with many iterations of things to do with Bond, so we’ll wait and see.”
— Lennie James, via Screen Rant
While IO Interactive has yet to officially announce the casting, Screen Rant confirms that James plays John Greenway, an MI6 mentor figure in 007: First Light. Fans had long speculated this connection, pointing out the strong visual and vocal resemblance between James and the character shown in the reveal trailer.
Who Is Lennie James?
Lennie James is a critically acclaimed British actor and screenwriter. Born in Nottingham, England in 1965 and raised in South London, he trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he studied alongside talents like Ewan McGregor and Dominic West.
James is best known internationally for his role as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, where his nuanced portrayal of grief, survival, and moral conflict made him a standout in the franchise. In the UK, he has earned widespread praise for his performances in Line of Duty, Buried, and Save Me—the latter of which he also wrote and created. His film credits include Snatch, Colombiana, and Blade Runner 2049.
Whether portraying conflicted survivors, complex detectives, or quietly powerful mentors, James brings a unique depth and gravity to his roles. His casting in 007: First Light adds serious dramatic weight to the game’s narrative.
Greenway: A Mentor with Serious Doubts
James’s character John Greenway is not a standard mentor figure—and certainly no cheerleader for Bond. While he’s tasked with overseeing Bond’s early development within MI6, he’s also one of the few who voices serious doubts about Bond’s suitability for the 00 program.
Greenway questions whether Bond truly understands the demands of the job. He’s deeply concerned about Bond’s tendency to act on instinct, his lack of emotional restraint, and above all, his inability to follow orders or accept hierarchical structure. In Greenway’s eyes, Bond isn’t just inexperienced—he’s unpredictable, and perhaps even dangerous in the wrong scenario.
This creates a fascinating narrative tension: Greenway doesn’t just shape Bond—he challenges him, provokes him, and tests his limits, even as the two are deployed together in the field. Their evolving dynamic—part mentorship, part conflict—may become one of the most emotionally charged relationships in 007: First Light, giving new weight to what it truly means to become 007.
For more updates, insights, and speculation, stay locked on ExpectingMrBond.com—your source for everything 007: First Light.
Image credit: Bang Media International / Alamy Stock Photo
