LONDON, March 31 -- Dame Helen Mirren has expressed her disapproval of a female James Bond, arguing that the franchise should focus on real stories of women in espionage instead.

In an interview with The Standard, she said she believed the Bond series to bee rooted in outdated sexism and that she had liked how women are portrayed in the films.

"The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism," Mirren said, adding that real-life female spies have shown extraordinary courage throughout history.

She pointed to the bravery of women in the French Resistance, saying their stories deserve to be told rather than reshaping an inherently male character.

Mirren also revealed that she was never been a fan of Bond, desp...