Will 'James' Be the Deadname of a New, Trans Bond?

British actor Dominic West – known in the U.S. for his starring role on the HBO drama "The Wire" – sparked headlines and enthusiastic speculation with a daring suggestion: What if the next James Bond were to be trans?

West floated the notion in a Dec. 23 interview with the UK newspaper Sunday Times, telling the newspaper, "Maybe a transgender Bond would be cool."

West reportedly got the idea from working with actor Jake Graf on the film "Colette," noted Digital Spy. Graf's wife, Hannah Winterbourne, was characterized by West as "the highest-ranking transgender soldier in the army."

"Colette" itself is the story of a female writer, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who challenged traditional gender roles when she insisted on being credited for her work. Her husband had put his own name to four of Colette's novels; after gaining recognition for her work, Colette went on to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1948, and her work remains popular today.

Describing Winterbourne, West went on to say, "She's a beautiful blonde girl who could be Bond, yes. That's actually a brilliant idea. They should have a transgender Bond because there are a lot of transgender people in the army. They'd be ideal because they can do everything."

The actor who currently portrays James Bond, Daniel Craig, has intimated in the past that he's had enough of the role. According to reports, Craig is set to leave the franchise after portraying 007 one last time in a new film to be released in 2020.

Rumor has it that Tom Hardy is in line to don 007's tuxedo once Craig departs, but fan speculation that Idris Elba could succeed Craig caused a flap last summer. Elba had reignited persistent rumors last August with a Twitter post, but he subsequently quashed the rumors. Had he been cast in the role, Elba would have been the first black actor to portray the iconic spy.

But is it too soon to contemplate a transgender Bond? When Craig took over the role, starting in 2006 with "Casino Royale," the initial announcement caused a firestorm of controversy based on the fact that, unlike earlier actors to portray the character, Craig is blond. The Elba-centric chatter occasioned a similar backlash. Still, one hesitates ever to say never again; after all, in 2012's "Skyfall," an onscreen moment between Bond and that movie's villain, Silva (played by Javier Bardem) seemed to insinuate that James Bond is either bisexual or at least has indulged his bi-curious side. Despite that potentially scandalous admission from the macho secret agent, the sky... well... didn't fall, and the franchise sailed on as briskly as ever.