Charles Dance, renowned for his role in Game of Thrones, has candidly admitted that he has no regrets about turning down the opportunity to screen test for James Bond. The veteran actor believes he wasn’t ready for the iconic role at the time and likely would have “messed it up.”
Dance made his feature film debut in the 1981 Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, starring Sir Roger Moore as 007. Years later, he portrayed Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, in the 1989 TV movie Goldeneye: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming. Despite these connections, Dance’s agent advised him against auditioning for Bond to avoid being typecast. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Dance said, “I had the confidence but not the experience, I would have f***** it up.”
When asked about the possibility of a red-haired James Bond, Dance expressed openness to the idea, highlighting the arbitrary nature of some casting conventions. “They said they couldn’t possibly have a ginger Maxim,” he recalled from his 1997 adaptation of Rebecca. “Why on earth not? It’s ridiculous.”
READ MORE: Historic Birnbeck Pier Restoration Saved by Last-Minute Funding Boost
READ MORE: I’m from France but now live in Taunton – here’s why this Somerset town is so special
At 78, Dance is outspoken about aging in the acting profession. He firmly believes actors should not retire, emphasizing the importance of veteran performers to portray “old, wrinkly people.” In an interview with Metro’s 60 Seconds column, he shared, “You have to work that much harder the older you get. I take the right amount of exercise and look after myself. I don’t want to retire. If we retired, there’d be nobody to play old, wrinkly people. You have to keep going!”
Despite some difficult experiences on film sets, such as enduring harsh conditions during the filming of Godzilla: King of the Monsters— which he described as “not a great film”—Dance’s passion for acting remains unwavering. Reflecting on a period when he stepped away from London life, he admitted the stillness unsettled him, saying, “After a couple of months, nothing was happening. I thought, ‘Ooh, I don’t like this at all.’”
Charles Dance’s enduring dedication to his craft continues to inspire as he embraces both the challenges and rewards of a lifelong acting career.