Nomi

Played by: Lashana Lynch

The low-down: Since Bond’s retirement, Lynch’s ambitious ‘00’ agent has risen through the ranks – and she’s none too pleased to see this dinosaur interrupt her mission. “You get in my way,” she warns him, “I’ll put a bullet in your knee. The one that works.”

In short: Spy who didn’t love me

Paloma

Played by: Ana De Armas

The low-down: This CIA operative is no cardboard cut-out, combining serious ass-kickery with what De Armas calls her “bubbly” and “irresponsible” nature. “She’s flawed. It’s human. When I read the part, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, I can be a Bond girl. I’m that messy.’”

In short: Bond girl next door

Dr Madeleine Swann

Played by: Léa Seydoux

The low-down: While Bond’s romantic partners usually get a raw deal, this psychiatrist survived 2015’s Spectre and is still along for the ride. But when a horrifying package arrives, hinting at a connection with Safin, 007 questions Swann’s loyalties.

In short: Doctor or double-agent?

Safin

Played by: Rami Malek

The low-down: The Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody star set out to create a villain who would “really make people’s skin crawl”, and he excels as a scarred psycho with a mask straight out of Lloyd Webber’s Phantom.

In short: Masked madman

Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Played by: Christoph Waltz

The low-down: Bested by Bond in Spectre, Blofeld is now rotting in MI6 custody but still seems one step ahead of the spy. With his slippery mind games and shoals of red herrings, he’s like a one-eyed, even creepier Hannibal Lecter.

In short: String-pulling puppet master

M

Played by: Ralph Fiennes

The low-down: Don’t be fooled by the office job. As a former British Army lieutenant colonel during The Troubles, Bond’s commanding officer is more pistol-packer than pen-pusher, and proved his mettle in the shootout from Spectre.

In short: Don’t call him a desk jockey

Eve Moneypenny

Played by: Naomie Harris

The low-down: M’s PA is anything but a supporting character. This former field agent – she took an office role after almost taking Bond out during Skyfall’s pre-credit sequence – is one of the few people 007 trusts implicitly when the chips are down.

In short: Bond’s ally and better nature

Q

Played by: Ben Whishaw

The low-down: The geeky counterpoint to 007’s ALPHA bull in a china shop, Q (short for Quartermaster) supplies Bond’s gadgets and kit. He’s no pushover, and they respect each others skills. No Time To Die’s Aston Martin DB5 minigun headlights? That’s Q’s handiwork.

In short: Bond’s closest MI6 ally