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{{short description|Fictional character in the James Bond film and novel series}}
{{Short description|Fictional character in the James Bond franchise}}
{{notability|date=February 2023}}
{{other people||William Tanner (disambiguation)}}
{{similar names|William Tanner (disambiguation){{!}}William Tanner}}
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
|image = Bill tanner.GIF
| image = Bill tanner.GIF
|caption = From top left clockwise Michael Goodliffe, James Villiers, Rory Kinnear and Michael Kitchen as Bill Tanner
| caption = From top left clockwise Michael Goodliffe, James Villiers, Rory Kinnear, and Michael Kitchen as Bill Tanner
⚫
| series = [[James Bond]]
|colour = #B0C4DE
⚫
| first = <!-- First appearance -->
⚫
|series = [[James Bond]]
|first = <!-- First appearance -->
| last = <!-- Last appearance to date -->
⚫
| creator = [[Ian Fleming]]
⚫
|last = <!-- Last appearance to date -->
⚫
| name = Bill Tanner
⚫
|creator = [[Ian Fleming]]
⚫
| portrayer = [[Michael Goodliffe]] (1974)<br />[[James Villiers]] (1981)<br />[[Michael Kitchen]] (1995–1999)<br />[[Rory Kinnear]] (2008–2021)
⚫
|name = Bill Tanner
⚫
| occupation = [[Chief of Staff]]
⚫
|portrayer = [[Michael Goodliffe]]<br />[[James Villiers]]<br />[[Michael Kitchen]]<br />[[Rory Kinnear]]
⚫
| gender = Male
⚫
|occupation = [[Chief of Staff]]
⚫
| affiliation = [[MI6]]
⚫
|gender = Male
⚫
| lbl21 = Classification
⚫
|affiliation = [[MI6]]
⚫
| data21 = [[List of James Bond allies|Ally]]
⚫
|lbl21 = Classification
⚫
| nationality = [[British people|British]]
⚫
|data21 = [[List of James Bond allies|Ally]]
| full_name = William Tanner
⚫
|nationality = [[Australia|Australian]]
}}
}}
'''William''' "'''Bill'''" '''Tanner''' is a fictional character in the ''[[James Bond]]'' film and novel series. Tanner is an employee of the [[Secret Intelligence Service]] (MI6) who acts as [[M (James Bond)|M's]] [[Chief of Staff]].
'''William Tanner''' is a fictional character in the [[Production of the James Bond films|James Bond film]] and [[List of James Bond novels and short stories|novel series]]. Tanner is an employee of the [[Secret Intelligence Service]] (MI6) who acts as [[M (James Bond)|M]]'s [[chief of staff]].

==Character summary==
Superb in a crisis, and blessed with a dry sense of humour, Tanner is [[James Bond (character)|Bond's]] staunchest ally in the [[Secret Intelligence Service|Service]], and they often enjoy a round of golf when off-duty. A family man, Tanner is just a little envious of Bond's freedom.


==Novels==
==Novels==
In [[Ian Fleming]]'s novels, Bill Tanner is [[MI6]]'s Chief of Staff. He appears infrequently in the novels, but is a regular character in the later continuation series by [[John Gardner (thriller writer)|John Gardner]].
In [[Ian Fleming]]'s novels, Bill Tanner is [[MI6]]'s chief of staff. He appears infrequently in the novels, but is a regular character in the later continuation series by [[John Gardner (thriller writer)|John Gardner]].

Described as a brisk, dark-haired man, and a former officer in the "Sappers" ([[Royal Engineers]]) (at "nearly their maximum height of 5'6"), Tanner appears to be one of Bond's only close friends in MI6; they lunch together occasionally, and he is generally sympathetic when Bond has been dressed down by M.


In 1965, [[Kingsley Amis]] wrote ''[[The Book of Bond]] or Every Man His Own 007'', a tongue-in-cheek manual for prospective secret agents, illustrated with examples from Fleming's novels. For this work, Amis used the [[pseudonym]] "[[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lt. Colonel]] William ('Bill') Tanner".
In 1965, [[Kingsley Amis]] wrote ''[[The Book of Bond]] or Every Man His Own 007'', a tongue-in-cheek manual for prospective secret agents, illustrated with examples from Fleming's novels. For this work, Amis used the [[pseudonym]] "[[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lt. Colonel]] William ('Bill') Tanner".
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!Portrayed by
!Portrayed by
|-
|-
| ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'' || [[1974 in film|1974]] || [[Michael Goodliffe]] (uncredited)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.007.info/FactfileGG.asp |title=The Man With The Golden Gun- The James Bond International Fan Club |publisher=007.info |date=19 December 1974|accessdate=12 November 2012}}</ref>
| ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'' || [[1974 in film|1974]] || [[Michael Goodliffe]] <small>(uncredited)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.007.info/FactfileGG.asp |title=The Man With The Golden Gun- The James Bond International Fan Club |publisher=007.info |date=19 December 1974|access-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'' || [[1981 in film|1981]] || [[James Villiers]]
| ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'' || [[1981 in film|1981]] || [[James Villiers]]
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| ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' || [[2015 in film|2015]]
| ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' || [[2015 in film|2015]]
|-
|-
| ''[[No Time to Die (2020 film)|No Time to Die]]''
| ''[[No Time to Die]]''
|[[2020 in film|2020]]
|[[2021 in film|2021]]
|}
|}


In ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'', Bill Tanner is only seen briefly in the film and is not mentioned by name until the end credits. He appears in [[M (James Bond)|M's]] office with M and [[Colthorpe]], discussing [[Francisco Scaramanga]], who has sent a bullet to MI6 printed with Bond's ID number. He explains Scaramanga's fingerprints on the bullet were verified by the [[CIA]], and that Scaramanga is attempting to provoke a battle with MI6. This leads to Bond being sent to find Scaramanga.
In ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'', Bill Tanner is only seen briefly in the film and is not mentioned by name until the end credits. He appears in [[M (James Bond)|M's]] office with M and Colthorpe, discussing [[Francisco Scaramanga]], who has sent a bullet to MI6 printed with Bond's ID number. He explains Scaramanga's fingerprints on the bullet were verified by the [[CIA]], and that Scaramanga is attempting to provoke a battle with MI6. This leads to Bond being sent to find Scaramanga.


[[File:Bill Tanner by Michael Kitchen.jpg|thumb|right|Bill Tanner, played by [[Michael Kitchen]] in ''[[GoldenEye]]''.]]
[[File:Bill Tanner by Michael Kitchen.jpg|thumb|right|Bill Tanner, played by [[Michael Kitchen]] in ''[[GoldenEye]]''.]]
In ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'', Bill Tanner (now played by [[James Villiers]] due to [[Michael Goodliffe]]'s death in 1976) is given a bigger role, as [[Bernard Lee]], who played M, had died.<ref name=returns>{{cite news | title = Quantum of Solace - Production Diary 7 | date =26 January 2008| url = http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/bond_22_prod_diary07.php3?t=&s= | accessdate=26 January 2008}}</ref> Tanner gives Bond his assignment (along with [[Sir Fredrick Gray]]), which sends him to find [[Hector Gonzales]]. Bond is unable to get information from Gonzales later on because [[Melina Havelock]] kills him after Bond is captured. Tanner then gets upset at him for not getting any information and letting Melina murder him. Tanner is last seen at the end of the film, when he connects the Prime Minister and Bond by phone. Unknowingly though, Bond is not there and it is merely a talking parrot that ends up "flirting" with the Prime Minister. In ''[[Octopussy]]'', the role of M was recast with [[Robert Brown (British actor)|Robert Brown]], so Tanner did not appear.<ref name=returns/>
In ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'', Bill Tanner (now played by [[James Villiers]] due to [[Michael Goodliffe]]'s death in 1976) is given a bigger role, as [[Bernard Lee]], who played M, had died.<ref name="returns">{{cite news | title = Quantum of Solace - Production Diary 7 | date = 26 January 2008 | url = http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/bond_22_prod_diary07.php3?t=&s= | access-date = 26 January 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Tanner is shown wearing an [[Winchester College|Old Wykehamist]] tie. He gives Bond his assignment (along with [[Sir Fredrick Gray]]), which sends him to find [[Hector Gonzales]]. Bond is unable to get information from Gonzales later on because [[Melina Havelock]] kills him after Bond is captured. Tanner then gets upset at Bond for not getting any information and letting Melina murder Gonzales. Tanner is last seen at the end of the film, when he connects the Prime Minister and Bond by phone. Unknown to Tanner and the Prime Minister, Bond is not there and it is merely a talking parrot that ends up "flirting" with the Prime Minister. In ''[[Octopussy]]'', the role of M was recast with [[Robert Brown (British actor)|Robert Brown]], so Tanner did not appear.<ref name=returns/>


In ''[[GoldenEye]]'', Tanner is only briefly seen in the Situation Room when the GoldenEye weapon is set off. Tanner gets scolded here for calling the new M, "the Evil Queen of Numbers" while she is right behind him. As Michael Kitchen was unable to reprise his role for ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'', the character of Charles Robinson (played by [[Colin Salmon]]), was created in his stead.<ref name=returns/>
In ''[[GoldenEye]]'', Tanner is only briefly seen in the Situation Room when the GoldenEye weapon is set off. Tanner calls the new M "the Evil Queen of Numbers," unaware that she is right behind him. As Michael Kitchen was unable to reprise his role for ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'', the character of Charles Robinson was created in his stead.<ref name=returns/>


In ''[[The World Is Not Enough]]'', Tanner is seen at the Scotland MI6 building debriefing the agents on the murder of Sir Robert King, father of [[Elektra King]]. When Bond comes to the conclusion that [[Renard (James Bond)|Renard]] is behind it, Tanner is seen with them talking about what Renard can do or is planning to do. He is only seen again twice, when Elektra King contacts M to get her to come and see her and finally at the end of the film where [[R (James Bond)|R]] is attempting to find Bond.
In ''[[The World Is Not Enough]]'', Tanner is seen at the Scotland MI6 building debriefing the agents on the murder of Sir Robert King, father of [[Elektra King]]. When Bond comes to the conclusion that the terrorist [[Renard (James Bond)|Renard]] is behind the murder, Tanner is seen talking about what Renard can do or is planning to do. He is only seen again twice, when Elektra, the true mastermind of her father's murder, contacts M to draw her in to be kidnapped, and finally at the end of the film as [[R (James Bond)|R]] is attempting to find Bond.


Tanner had never been considered a regular cinematic character until 2008's ''[[Quantum of Solace]]''. He was played by a different actor, [[Rory Kinnear]], giving [[Judi Dench]] (who played M) the distinction of having played opposite two different actors playing the role of Tanner. Kinnear is also the godson of Dench's late husband [[Michael Williams (actor)|Michael Williams]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/arts/theatre/rory-kinnear-good-show-sweet-prince-6541358.html|title=Rory Kinnear: Good show, sweet prince |date=29 November 2010 |publisher=[[Evening Standard]]}}</ref> Kinnear reprised the role of Tanner in ''[[Skyfall]]'' and ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]''. Kinnear also voices Tanner and provides his likeness for the [[GoldenEye 007 (2010 video game)|2010 remake of the ''GoldenEye'' game]] and the original games ''[[James Bond 007: Blood Stone]]'' and ''[[007 Legends]]''.
Tanner had never been considered a regular cinematic character until 2008's ''[[Quantum of Solace]]'' where he was first played by [[Rory Kinnear]] who reprised the role of Tanner in ''[[Skyfall]]'', ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'', and ''[[No Time to Die]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-07 |title=Bond Star Rory Kinnear Explains Why He Thinks Latest 'Frontrunner' Is Unlikely To Land 007 Role |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bond-star-rory-kinnear-explains-083538551.html |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kinnear also voices Tanner and provides his likeness for the [[GoldenEye 007 (2010 video game)|2010 remake of the ''GoldenEye'' game]] and the original games ''[[James Bond 007: Blood Stone]]'' and ''[[007 Legends]]''.


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:James Bond characters]]
[[Category:James Bond characters]]
[[Category:Characters in British novels of the 20th century]]
[[Category:Characters in British novels of the 20th century]]
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1953]]
[[Category:Literary characters introduced in 1953]]
[[Category:Fictional Australian people]]
[[Category:Fictional Australian people]]
[[Category:Fictional Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:Fictional chiefs of staff]]
[[Category:Fictional SIS agents]]
[[Category:Fictional MI6 agents]]
[[Category:Fictional British spies]]
[[Category:Fictional spies]]
[[Category:Fictional British people]]

Latest revision as of 08:53, 1 October 2024

For other people with similar names, see William Tanner.
Bill Tanner
James Bond character
From top left clockwise Michael Goodliffe, James Villiers, Rory Kinnear, and Michael Kitchen as Bill Tanner
Created byIan Fleming
Portrayed byMichael Goodliffe (1974)
James Villiers (1981)
Michael Kitchen (1995–1999)
Rory Kinnear (2008–2021)
In-universe information
Full nameWilliam Tanner
GenderMale
OccupationChief of Staff
AffiliationMI6
NationalityBritish
ClassificationAlly

William Tanner is a fictional character in the James Bond film and novel series. Tanner is an employee of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) who acts as M's chief of staff.

Novels

[edit]

In Ian Fleming's novels, Bill Tanner is MI6's chief of staff. He appears infrequently in the novels, but is a regular character in the later continuation series by John Gardner.

Described as a brisk, dark-haired man, and a former officer in the "Sappers" (Royal Engineers) (at "nearly their maximum height of 5'6"), Tanner appears to be one of Bond's only close friends in MI6; they lunch together occasionally, and he is generally sympathetic when Bond has been dressed down by M.

In 1965, Kingsley Amis wrote The Book of Bond or Every Man His Own 007, a tongue-in-cheek manual for prospective secret agents, illustrated with examples from Fleming's novels. For this work, Amis used the pseudonym "Lt. Colonel William ('Bill') Tanner".

Film appearances

[edit]
Film Year Portrayed by
The Man with the Golden Gun 1974 Michael Goodliffe (uncredited)[1]
For Your Eyes Only 1981 James Villiers
GoldenEye 1995 Michael Kitchen
The World Is Not Enough 1999
Quantum of Solace 2008 Rory Kinnear
Skyfall 2012
Spectre 2015
No Time to Die 2021

In The Man with the Golden Gun, Bill Tanner is only seen briefly in the film and is not mentioned by name until the end credits. He appears in M's office with M and Colthorpe, discussing Francisco Scaramanga, who has sent a bullet to MI6 printed with Bond's ID number. He explains Scaramanga's fingerprints on the bullet were verified by the CIA, and that Scaramanga is attempting to provoke a battle with MI6. This leads to Bond being sent to find Scaramanga.

Bill Tanner, played by Michael Kitchen in GoldenEye.

In For Your Eyes Only, Bill Tanner (now played by James Villiers due to Michael Goodliffe's death in 1976) is given a bigger role, as Bernard Lee, who played M, had died.[2] Tanner is shown wearing an Old Wykehamist tie. He gives Bond his assignment (along with Sir Fredrick Gray), which sends him to find Hector Gonzales. Bond is unable to get information from Gonzales later on because Melina Havelock kills him after Bond is captured. Tanner then gets upset at Bond for not getting any information and letting Melina murder Gonzales. Tanner is last seen at the end of the film, when he connects the Prime Minister and Bond by phone. Unknown to Tanner and the Prime Minister, Bond is not there and it is merely a talking parrot that ends up "flirting" with the Prime Minister. In Octopussy, the role of M was recast with Robert Brown, so Tanner did not appear.[2]

In GoldenEye, Tanner is only briefly seen in the Situation Room when the GoldenEye weapon is set off. Tanner calls the new M "the Evil Queen of Numbers," unaware that she is right behind him. As Michael Kitchen was unable to reprise his role for Tomorrow Never Dies, the character of Charles Robinson was created in his stead.[2]

In The World Is Not Enough, Tanner is seen at the Scotland MI6 building debriefing the agents on the murder of Sir Robert King, father of Elektra King. When Bond comes to the conclusion that the terrorist Renard is behind the murder, Tanner is seen talking about what Renard can do or is planning to do. He is only seen again twice, when Elektra, the true mastermind of her father's murder, contacts M to draw her in to be kidnapped, and finally at the end of the film as R is attempting to find Bond.

Tanner had never been considered a regular cinematic character until 2008's Quantum of Solace where he was first played by Rory Kinnear who reprised the role of Tanner in Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die.[3] Kinnear also voices Tanner and provides his likeness for the 2010 remake of the GoldenEye game and the original games James Bond 007: Blood Stone and 007 Legends.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Man With The Golden Gun- The James Bond International Fan Club". 007.info. 19 December 1974. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Quantum of Solace - Production Diary 7". 26 January 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Bond Star Rory Kinnear Explains Why He Thinks Latest 'Frontrunner' Is Unlikely To Land 007 Role". Yahoo News. 2023-01-07. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
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