'James Bond' Reboot Officially Changes Main Character's Sexuality

For more than six decades, the James Bond franchise has defined the modern spy thriller across all media. From Ian Fleming’s 1953 debut novel “Casino Royale” to 25 official Eon films, 007 has become a global cultural icon: a suave agent whose blend of sophistication and ruthlessness has inspired generations of heroes and villains alike.

But beyond the man himself, the series has always thrived on its supporting characters.

Among them are three figures as familiar as Bond’s tuxedo: M, the no-nonsense superior who represents duty and restraint; Miss Moneypenny, the ever-loyal secretary whose flirtatious rapport with Bond became instantly legendary; and Q, the eccentric Quartermaster whose gadgets have saved 007 more times than bullets have.

Each character has evolved alongside Bond — reinterpreted, modernized, and expanded across decades of reinvention. Now, one of them is finally stepping into the spotlight.

Related: Amazon Drastically Changes James Bond’s Identity After 63 Years Ahead of Movie Reboot

In “Quantum of Menace”, a new officially licensed novel by Vaseem Khan, Q takes center stage in his own espionage mystery — marking the first time the beloved gadget-maker has been reimagined as a full-fledged protagonist rather than comic relief.

In Khan’s version, Q (whose real name is Major Boothroyd in the novel) returns to his hometown to investigate the death of a scientist friend, uncovering a larger conspiracy that forces him to confront his own past — including a former fiancée.

The story positions Q as both investigator and reluctant hero, balancing intellect with emotion in a distinctly Fleming-inspired thriller.

Q has been played by many actors in the films, with Desmond Llewelyn, who played him in 17 films between 1963 and 1999, and Ben Whishaw, who starred in three films opposite Daniel Craig’s Bond, being the two most notable.

Khan told RadioTimes.com that the Q in “Quantum of Menace” is someone who lies somewhere “in the middle of these two iconic representations on-screen”.

However, unlike his on-screen counterpart in the Craig films, Q isn’t gay in the book.

In No Time to Die, Whishaw’s version of the character was revealed as openly gay (he is seen preparing dinner for an unseen male partner at his home), which marked a quiet but significant milestone for the franchise. Khan’s novel, however, reimagines the character with a heterosexual backstory and even introduces a budding romance with Miss Moneypenny.

This is likely to surprise some fans, but it’s worth noting that the “Q Mysteries” novels exist within their own continuity, separate from any of the film timelines.

The book arrives amid a wider reinvention of Bond media, including IO Interactive’s third-person action-adventure video game “007 First Light”, set for release in March 2026, and a film reboot from director Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two) that has yet to cast its lead.

What do you think of this change to Q’s character? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!