Credit: Inside the MagicThe James Bond franchise is in the middle of a transition across more than one medium.
A new film is currently in development from director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) and writer Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), which will introduce the next 007 following Daniel Craig’s five-film run. At the same time, developers IO Interactive is building out its own corner of the Bond universe with the third-person action-adventure “007 First Light”, an ambitious origin story that reimagines the world of MI6 for a new generation.
Between the upcoming movie and the game, audiences are about to see Bond evolve across multiple mediums in ways that feel both faithful and daring.
The James Bond Reboot Welcomes a New Star
Now, while “007 First Light” recently unveiled an extensive behind-the-scenes look and its cast list, it has now revealed yet another major new actor, and with her arrival the game is making history — but not in the way some might expect.
The latest trailer for the game, which was shown at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 Broadcast, reveals that British actress Gemma Chan (Marvel’s Eternals, Captain Marvel, Crazy Rich Asians) will play Selina Tan, MI6’s Head of Tactical Simulation, a role very reminiscent of Q, the technician who builds all of Bond’s gadgets. Watch the trailer below:
Of course, Q is already in the game, with Alastair Mackenzie donning the lab coat. But Chan’s Selina appears to be playing his female equivalent, bringing her own unique talents to Q branch. However, unlike Q, her character is new to the franchise, and like all the other actors in “007 First Light”, Chan will provide both voice and likeness.
“Joining the world of James Bond in video games has been such an exciting experience,” Chan shared. “Selina Tan is a fascinating character, and I can’t wait for players to meet her. Bringing Selina to life in ‘007 First Light’ has been an absolute privilege.”
Hakan Abrak, IO Interactive’s CEO, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Gemma Chan to the ensemble cast of ‘007 First Light’. Her experience and emotional range will bring a lot of depth to the character of Selina Tan. With her performance, I believe players will experience an added layer of authenticity and cinematic storytelling that feels right at home in the world of espionage.”
Related: Meet the New James Bond in the Upcoming ‘007’ Reboot
“007 First Light”: The New James Bond Cast & Their Characters
Here’s the list of cast members confirmed for “First Light”, along with their characters:
- Patrick Gibson – James Bond: A young 26-year-old James Bond.
- Priyanga Burford – M: The new head of MI6.
- Alastair Mackenzie – Q: The gadget-maker, supplying Bond with weapons and tech.
- Kiera Lester – Miss Moneypenny: Bond’s long-time desk-ally.
- Lennie James – John Greenway: Bond’s mentor.
- Noémie Nakai – Miss Roth: A new character who appears to serve as a kind of “femme fatale”-type, more traditionally known as a “Bond girl”.
- Gemma Chan – Selina Tan: MI6’s Head of Tactical Simulation, overseeing cutting-edge training and simulations for recruits, with a background in psychology, game theory, and immersive tech.
So, Selina Tan is not exactly the same as Q, but her role overlaps: she’s in charge of preparing recruits via simulation and testing, while Q provides tech and gadgets during missions. Still, her appearance at the end of the latest trailer certainly channels Q vibes.
It also hasn’t stopped fans on social media from drawing comparisons. While Selina Tan is not Q, there’s nothing wrong with her being seen by many as a “gender-swapped” version of the iconic character, who was most recently played on the big screen by Ben Whishaw.
James Bond Is Introducing More Diversity
Chan’s casting as Selina is significant for a few other reasons. First, it’s part of how “First Light” is reframing the Bond universe, introducing new characters alongside existing ones.
Secondly, giving her both voice and likeness signals how invested the studio is in making these characters feel real and grounded. Her role also demonstrates how MI6’s supporting cast is becoming more fleshed out — tactical simulation, psychology, training, mentorship.
Related: ‘James Bond’ Reboot “Brutal and Violent” Says Studio, as Brand-New Teaser Revealed
Lennie James’ role as John Greenway also adds weight to this. More than just a mentor, he appears in the initial trailer to step into the field alongside Bond, hinting that he’ll be a far more active presence than traditional supporting characters.
Likewise, Priyanga Burford’s turn as M marks a historic first for the franchise. This version of the MI6 chief is both played by and portrayed as a person of color, expanding the legacy of a character long considered central to Bond’s world.
Then there’s Kiera Lester’s Miss Moneypenny. Like Chan, James, and Burford, Lester is a person of color, and, as such, continues for the character what Naomie Harris brought to the role in the Daniel Craig films. These four actors highlight a commitment to diversity in Bond.
“007 First Light” Will Stand On Its Own
“007 First Light” also appears to be building a mythos of its own.
With Patrick Gibson as a young James Bond, a full roster of allies including M, Q, Moneypenny, and new characters like Selina Tan and Miss Roth, IO Interactive is weaving a foundation that could define how fans perceive the MI6 spy’s earliest steps.
The developers have confirmed that “First Light” will be unrelated to the upcoming James Bond film from Amazon MGM. The two projects are being developed independently, with no crossover in storylines or characters. This separation gives the game freedom to expand the Bond universe without being tied to the continuity or direction of the big-screen reboot.
“007 First Light” launches in March 2026.
Are you excited about “007 First Light”? Let us know in the comments below!