Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy (2026) written by Mark O’Connell

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2026-01-08

From Sweden with Love reader Mark O’Connell has revealed the title and cover for his next book, Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy. The new book is scheduled for publication on 14th May 2026 by The History Press who previously has published several James Bond related books.

The exciting story of the queer talents, beats and personalities that have fantastically shaped the James Bond phenomenon in all its forms. Blending historical insight with new observations, interviews, understanding and exploration, Bond scholar Mark O’Connell deftly examines the fascinating gay forces behind the openly straight 007.

At a time when fierce debate rages about identity politics versus cultural visibility, what if the world of Bond and its diverse myriad of creators, artists and influences were already a fierce bastion of queer?

Bond, Queer Bond is not just the fascinating story about how LGBTQ creativity, temperaments, battles, and voices stretched into Bond from the gay map pins of San Francisco, London, New York, Paris, and beyond. It is also a rich chronicle of rainbow artistry, fortitude and visibility featuring Commander Bond alongside some of the most iconic names and pivotal beats of all LGBTQ history.

Bond, Queer Bond, The Fabulous Other History of a Spy, Mark O’Connell

Bond, Queer Bond, The Fabulous Other History of a Spy, Mark O’Connell

It is a distinctive, energetic, and original compendium about identity in pop culture, the difference between gay history and queer expression, and how the deceptively diverse Bond world has always operated alongside both.

In Bond, Queer Bond what might begin as a thoughtful new dive into an adjacent world of 007 fast becomes a rich, colourful, compelling, and fun manifesto about the vital and varied queer DNA of a cultural icon.

Joining O’Connell to tell this fabulous other history of a spy are guest contributions and brilliant new insight from Bond alumni including producer Barbara Broccoli, composer David Arnold, actor/bass player Putter Smith (Diamonds Are Forever), director John Glen (For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill), author Jon Lys Turner, costume designer Jany Temime (Skyfall, Spectre) and actress Maud Adams (The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy), plus, actor/writer Mark Gatiss, comedian David Walliams, and many more.

About author Mark O’Connell

Mark O’Connell is a writer, author and pop culture commentator. His books Catching Bullets: Memoirs of a Bond Fan (2012) and Watching Skies: Star Wars, Spielberg and Us earned critical acclaim, prize shortlisting, and both mainstream and LGBTQ media recognition. He is a frequent voice across all BBC platforms and channels, Sky, The Times and major global news and cultural outlets.

Mark O’Connell, author, Queer Bond

Bond, Queer Bond author Mark O’Connell. Photo by Christian Couzens. All rights reserved.

Pre-order Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy from Amazon UK.

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Bond, Queer Bond: The Fabulous Other History of a Spy (2026) written by Mark O’Connell

About author Mark O’Connell

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