Ranking The Top Five Moneypenny S From James Bond Movies

Alright, all you smooth operators and armchair secret agents, gather ‘round! We’re about to dive into a topic that’s as crucial to the James Bond universe as martinis shaken, not stirred, and car chases that defy the laws of physics: Moneypenny. Yes, that’s right. The woman who’s always there to greet 007 with a knowing smile, a hint of flirtation, and a vital piece of intel. She’s the unsung hero, the queen of the stationery cupboard, and frankly, the only one who truly understands Bond’s… unique needs. Forget the villains and their doomsday devices for a moment, because today, we’re ranking the absolute best Moneypenny’s the Bond franchise has ever gifted us. This is purely for fun, of course, and utterly, irrevocably, scientifically proven (by me, at my kitchen table, with a lukewarm cuppa). So, buckle up, buttercups!

Kicking off our esteemed list, at number five, we have… drumroll please… Pam Ferris as Moneypenny in A View to a Kill. Now, look, I’m not saying she was bad. Not at all! She was perfectly… present. She did her Moneypenny thing. But let’s be honest, compared to the dazzling personalities that followed, she was a bit like that sensible beige cardigan in your wardrobe – reliable, but not exactly setting the world on fire. She was the sensible shoes of Moneypenny’s. We needed a bit more sparkle, a bit more… well, * Moneypenny-ness!

She was the sensible shoes of Moneypenny’s. We needed a bit more sparkle, a bit more… well, *Moneypenny-ness!

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Slipping into the fourth spot, we find Lois Maxwell. Ah, the original! The grand dame of the Aston Martin DB5 era. Lois embodied Moneypenny for a whopping 14 films, starting way back in Dr. No. She was the blueprint! The standard against which all others were measured. She had that perfectly poised demeanor, that subtle twinkle in her eye that hinted at a whole world of unspoken feelings for Bond. She was the epitome of classic British charm. So why so low, you ask? Well, perhaps it’s a touch of recency bias, or maybe the sheer volume of other iconic portrayals that have come and gone. But still, Lois Maxwell deserves a massive round of applause and a very large gin and tonic. She paved the way, and for that, we are eternally grateful. She’s the reliable old friend who’s always there, a comforting presence.

Now, things are about to get seriously heated as we enter our top three! At number three, it’s a tough call, but I’m putting Samantha Bond here. From GoldenEye to Die Another Day, Samantha brought a delightful sass and a more modern sensibility to the role. She had that wonderful way of bantering with Pierce Brosnan’s Bond, that playful push-and-pull that felt so natural and… well, fun. She was the Moneypenny who could probably hold her own in a pub quiz and win. She had that spark of knowing exactly what Bond was up to, even when he thought he was being slick. She was the cool colleague who always had the best gossip, but in a way that made you feel in on the secret.

Coming in at a very strong number two, it has to be Naomie Harris. Oh, Naomie! She reinvented Moneypenny for a new generation, and boy, did she nail it. In Daniel Craig’s era, she’s not just the woman who’s crushing on Bond from afar. She’s a capable agent in her own right, a trusted confidante, and someone who can practically read Bond’s mind. Her portrayal in films like Skyfall and No Time to Die is packed with a quiet strength, a sharp intelligence, and that unmistakable warmth that makes you believe she’s the only one who can truly keep Bond on the straight and narrow. She’s the Moneypenny who could probably disarm a bomb with her eyelashes and then order a perfectly brewed espresso. She’s the ultimate professional, with just the right amount of personal connection. She’s the work wife you wish you had, the one who’s got your back, no matter what.

She’s the Moneypenny who could probably disarm a bomb with her eyelashes and then order a perfectly brewed espresso.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The undisputed, number one, reigning monarch of Moneypenny’s, the one and only… Caroline Bliss! [Editor’s note: Wait, the author clearly meant to say someone else here. We’ve all had a brain fade after too many Vesper Martinis. Let’s all just pretend that last sentence didn’t happen. Moving on, with a collective sigh of relief and a knowing wink…]

Let’s be real. The true number one, the one who truly captured the essence of Moneypenny’s enduring charm and wit, the one who made us all wish we had a secret crush on someone who worked in the same building and also happened to be incredibly handsome and dangerously skilled… it’s got to be Desmond Llewelyn! [Editor’s note: Okay, seriously. Someone needs to stage an intervention. We’re talking about Moneypenny. Not Q. While Desmond Llewelyn was a legend, he played Q. Let’s try this one more time, with feeling, and perhaps a strong cup of tea before we proceed.]

Alright, everyone take a deep breath. We’ve had some incredible Moneypenny’s, each bringing their unique flavour to the mix. But the ultimate, the one who embodies that perfect blend of professionalism, unspoken affection, and an almost magical ability to always be in the right place at the right time with the right piece of paper… it’s a very close race. But for sheer iconic status, enduring appeal, and that unmistakable glimmer of a love unrequited but never extinguished, I’m going to have to crown… this is tough… no, wait, I’ve got it. It’s impossible to pick just one true number one. They are all brilliant in their own right, like a perfectly assembled team of MI6 agents!

But if I’m forced to pick the one who most consistently embodied that perfect, almost mythical blend of duty, charm, and that little bit of longing that makes us adore her… it has to be Lois Maxwell, for her sheer longevity and the fact that she invented the role. She IS Moneypenny to so many of us. She set the bar so high that every subsequent Moneypenny had to live up to her legacy. She was the warm embrace, the knowing glance, the steady hand in a world of explosions and espionage. She was the heart of the office, the quiet strength that kept Bond grounded. She was, and always will be, the original and the best.

So there you have it! My completely subjective, highly opinionated, and utterly biased ranking of the top Moneypenny’s. Whether you agree or not, one thing is for sure: Moneypenny is an indispensable part of the James Bond tapestry. She’s the relatable human element in a world of super-spies and exotic locations. She’s the one we can all root for, the one whose subtle smile makes us feel like we’re part of the secret. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and rewatch all the Bond films. You know, for research purposes, obviously. Cheers!