In the world of MI6, few numbers carry as much weight as 007. But one agent has repeatedly appeared in the shadow—or in the place—of James Bond: 009. Across multiple films, the elusive double-0 has acted as a mirror, a substitute, or even a foil for Bond himself.
While 009 has never been a leading character, his presence has been felt across decades of Bond stories. And with 007: First Light on the horizon, this curious pattern might be more relevant than ever.
Octopussy (1983): Dying in Disguise
Octopussy marks the only time 009 appears on screen, portrayed—briefly but memorably—by actor Andy Bradford (see above).
The film opens with a suspenseful chase: a clown—wounded, breathless, and clearly running out of time—flees through a misty East German forest, pursued by two silent, knife-throwing twins. That clown is Agent 009, clutching a counterfeit Fabergé egg. In a final burst of strength, he crashes through the glass doors of the British embassy and collapses in the middle of a formal reception. As he dies, the egg slips from his hand and rolls across the floor—coming to rest at the feet of the stunned British ambassador.
Bond soon picks up where his fellow agent left off. He investigates the counterfeit egg, uncovers a smuggling ring tied to Soviet forces, and ultimately thwarts a nuclear attack on a U.S. base in West Germany. In a poetic moment, Bond even dons the same clown disguise during the film’s climax—literally stepping into 009’s shoes to finish the mission.
The World Is Not Enough (1999): A Shot That Didn’t Count
In The World Is Not Enough, 009 never appears on screen, but he’s explicitly mentioned. We learn that M had previously assigned 009 to assassinate Renard, a notorious terrorist. He did shoot him—but the bullet failed to kill, lodging in Renard’s brain and slowly destroying his ability to feel pain.
As always, it falls to Bond to finish the mission. Once again, 007 steps in to resolve what 009 could not, continuing the quiet tradition of Bond taking over when the stakes are highest.
Spectre (2015): Stealing the Car—and the Glory
Spectre plays the Bond–009 rivalry with a wink and a smirk. When Bond visits Q Branch, he’s introduced to a brand-new Aston Martin DB10—sleek, silver, and unmistakably elegant. Q begins the presentation with all the pride of a gadget-loving quartermaster… only to dryly inform Bond that the car has actually been assigned to 009.
Instead, Q hands Bond something far less thrilling: a watch. “It tells the time,” he deadpans—no gadgets, no explosives, no fun. Just classic Q‑Branch sarcasm.
But Bond being Bond, he doesn’t let red tape slow him down. Later in the film (the actual theft isn’t shown in the clip above), he simply steals the DB10, reclaiming what wasn’t meant for him—but perhaps always destined to be his. Whether it’s a mission, a vehicle, or the spotlight itself, 007 always comes out on top. The number may be lower… but the name carries more weight.
007: First Light – The Pattern Reversed?
Across the Bond franchise, 009 has always existed in the shadow of 007. He was the agent who died early, failed offscreen, or got sidelined before the real story began. Bond finished the mission. Bond got the car. Bond wrote the legacy.
But in 007: First Light, that balance may be shifting.
From what we know so far, Bond is the newcomer—not yet 007, still earning his place within a reactivated 00-program. Meanwhile, 009 has already gone off-grid and become the mission itself. He’s described as a master manipulator with an invisible endgame—a figure moving ahead of Bond at every turn.
And while it hasn’t been confirmed, there are signs that 009 might be a remnant of the previous generation of agents—a veteran of the old 00-program. More experienced. More resourceful. Possibly more dangerous.
This time, 009 isn’t the one being replaced. He’s the one being tracked.
And Bond? He’s just trying to catch up.
Not the True Villain
Despite the setup, I don’t believe 009 is the main villain. That would edge a little too close to GoldenEye, where former agent 006 returns as Bond’s nemesis. We’ve seen that twist before.
More likely, 009 is a henchman with autonomy, or a double agent operating from the shadows for reasons we don’t yet understand. His motives may be obscured, but not necessarily malicious. He could be playing both sides—or simply acting alone for what he believes is the greater good.
If that’s the case, the conflict with Bond may be more complicated than it seems.
Back to the Old Pattern?
And yet, even if 009’s intentions are noble, the old narrative may reassert itself.
Perhaps his plan fails. Perhaps he overreaches. Perhaps he falls.
And in the end, it may still be Bond—the younger, less seasoned operative—who finishes what 009 started.
Who becomes 007 not by command, but by necessity.
Because in the world of double-0s, the difference between 009 and 007 has always been timing… or fate.
