No Time to Die Cast – Complete List and Character Guide

No Time to Die marks Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as James Bond, bringing closure to an era that began with Casino Royale in 2006. The 2021 film assembles a mix of familiar faces from the Craig era alongside several newcomers, all navigating a story centered on a deadly bioweapon threat and Bond’s personal connections.

The cast list spans over two dozen principal performers, from the core MI6 team to supporting characters who play pivotal roles in the film’s narrative. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of who appears in No Time to Die and how each character fits into the story.

Who Is in the No Time to Die Cast?

No Time to Die features one of the most expansive Bond ensembles in recent franchise history. The production brought together returning talent from Casino Royale, Skyfall, and Spectre with actors making their debut in the 007 series.

Key Insights About the Cast

• Daniel Craig concluded his 15-year tenure as Bond with this film, his fifth portraying the secret agent.
• Lashana Lynch introduced Nomi as the first new 00 agent to hold the 007 codename since the character’s introduction.
• Rami Malek’s Safin serves as the primary antagonist, pursuing a scheme involving Project Heracles.
• Billie Eilish performed the title track, becoming the youngest artist to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
• Ana de Armas appeared in a supporting CIA role despite a limited screen presence that became a talking point among viewers.
• Christoph Waltz returned as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, connecting the film directly to the events of Spectre.

Quick Reference Facts

Who Plays James Bond and Key Leads in No Time to Die?

Daniel Craig as James Bond

Daniel Craig delivers his most emotionally complex performance as Bond in No Time to Die. His character has retired from active MI6 service when events draw him back into action. The film traces Bond’s relationship with Madeleine Swann and introduces their young daughter Mathilde as a central emotional element. Craig previously portrayed Bond in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre before this concluding chapter.

Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann

Madeleine Swann returns from Spectre as Bond’s partner and the mother of his child. A psychologist by training, her character provides much of the film’s emotional depth alongside her complicated past connection to Safin. Léa Seydoux first appeared as Swann in 2015’s Spectre, making her one of the few recurring female leads in the Craig era.

Rami Malek as the Villain

Rami Malek portrays Lyutsifer Safin, a villain who gained control of Project Heracles—a nanotech bioweapon capable of targeting specific genetic bloodlines. Malek’s casting was announced during a 2019 livestream held at Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. His character shares a personal history with Madeleine that becomes critical to the film’s climax.

Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, and the MI6 Team

Ralph Fiennes continues as M, the head of MI6, while Ben Whishaw returns as Q, the agency’s quartermaster. Naomie Harris plays Eve Moneypenny, M’s secretary, and Rory Kinnear appears as Bill Tanner, M’s chief of staff. The ensemble maintains continuity from previous Craig films and anchors the institutional framework within which Bond operates.

Who Is the Child Actress and Other New Faces?

The Child Actress Playing Mathilde

Lisa-Dorah Sonnet plays Mathilde, the five-year-old daughter of James Bond and Madeleine Swann. Her appearance represents one of the film’s major plot revelations, though the character has limited screen time. Mathilde’s existence fundamentally alters Bond’s motivations throughout No Time to Die and sets up emotional stakes that drive the climactic sequences.

Other Notable Newcomers

Coline Defaud portrays Young Madeleine in flashback scenes, providing context for Swann’s traumatic history with Safin. Mathilde Bourbin appears as Madeleine’s Mother in these same flashback sequences. Dali Benssalah plays Primo, also known as Cyclops, one of Safin’s mercenary henchmen.

Among the supporting ranks, Hugh Dennis appears as Dr. Hardy, Priyanga Burford as Dr. Symes, and Joe Grossi as the Hotel Porter. Various Spectre agents and guards appear briefly, portrayed by performers including Eliot Sumner and Rae Lim.

No Time to Die Theme Song and Musical Credits

The title track “No Time to Die” was performed by Billie Eilish, who co-wrote it alongside her brother Finneas O’Connell. The song received critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2022, making Eilish the youngest artist ever to claim that honor. The composition’s melancholic tone aligns with the film’s themes of loss and finality.

Behind the scenes, writers Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge contributed to the screenplay. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson served as producers, with Tom Cross and Elliot Graham handling editing duties.

Casting Timeline and Key Production Dates

1. 2019 – Casting announcements made during a livestream at Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux confirmed their return alongside newcomers.
2. Early 2020 – Principal photography concluded, with the film in post-production phase when pandemic disruptions halted release plans.
3. 2021 – The film premiered in October, with additional promotional appearances from Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, and the returning cast.

Confirmed Facts Versus Unconfirmed Details

Where No Time to Die Fits in the Bond Series

No Time to Die serves as the climactic chapter of the James Bond storyline that began with Casino Royale in 2006. The film draws narrative threads from Spectre while introducing its own standalone threat through Project Heracles. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga brought a distinct visual sensibility to the Craig era’s final chapter, balancing intimate character moments with large-scale action sequences.

The introduction of Lashana Lynch as Nomi signaled potential evolution for the franchise’s structure. Her character assumes the 007 codename following Bond’s retirement, suggesting future films might explore multiple active 00 agents. This diversification came while honoring the emotional weight of Craig’s farewell.

Connections to earlier Bond films appear through the returns of characters like Blofeld, M, Q, and Moneypenny, maintaining continuity across the Craig era. The Jamaican setting referenced both the franchise’s literary origins and the location of the casting announcement.

Sources and Official Information

The film brings together one of the most acclaimed ensemble casts in the franchise’s history, anchored by Daniel Craig in his defining performance.

Official credits for No Time to Die confirm the cast as listed, with announcements made through established production channels. The film’s official website and major studio press materials verified casting decisions, including the notable additions announced at Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate.

Summary

No Time to Die brings together an ensemble cast spanning established franchise veterans and fresh faces. Daniel Craig leads his fifth and final Bond adventure alongside Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann, with Rami Malek’s Safin providing the central threat. The film also introduced Lashana Lynch as the new 007 agent Nomi and featured notable supporting roles from Ana de Armas, Jeffrey Wright, and Billy Magnussen. Lisa-Dorah Sonnet portrayed Mathilde, Bond’s daughter, in a role that carries significant emotional weight for the narrative’s conclusion. The production faced delays but ultimately delivered a cast roster that balanced continuity with the Craig era’s established characters.

Frequently Asked Questions