In Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and the derived films, the 00 Section of MI6 is considered the secret service's elite. A 00 (pronounced "Double O") is a field agent who holds a licence to kill in the field, at their discretion, to complete any mission.
First appearance: Casino Royale (1953 novel) Created by: Ian Fleming Genre: Spy/Espionage In-universe type: Field agent
Inspiration
The origins of the Double O title may date to Ian Fleming's wartime service. According to World War II historian Damien Lewis in his book Churchill's Secret Warriors, agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) were given a "0" prefix when they became "zero-rated" upon completion of training in how to kill. As part of his role as assistant to the head of naval intelligence, Rear Admiral John Godfrey (himself the inspiration for M), Fleming acted as liaison to the SOE.
Another hypothesis holds that Fleming was inspired by the local 007 bus route running between Canterbury and the Kent coast. The 007 route still exists today, operated by National Express as a coach service between Victoria coach station and Dover.
Description
In the first novel, Casino Royale, the 00 concept is introduced and, in James Bond's words, "means you've had to kill a chap in cold blood in the course of some job." Bond's 00 number (007) was awarded to him because he twice killed in fulfilling assignments. In the second novel, Live and Let Die, the 00 number designates a past killing; not until the third novel, Moonraker, does the 00 number designate a licence to kill.
Per Fleming's Moonraker, 00 agents face mandatory retirement at 45. Fleming himself mentions only five 00 agents across his works: 007 (James Bond), 006, 008, 009, and 0011. According to Moonraker, Bond is the most senior of three 00 agents; the two others were 008 and 0011, who share an office and a secretary.
In the films, the 00 section is a discrete area of MI6 whose agents report directly to M. They are sent on special assignments and troubleshooting missions involving situations too sensitive for ordinary procedural or legal measures. The film GoldenEye features 006 (Alec Trevelyan) as a major character and antagonist, while No Time to Die introduces Nomi (Lashana Lynch) as a new 007 after Bond's retirement.
Known 00 Agents
From Ian Fleming's novels: 006 (unnamed), 007 (James Bond), 008 ("Bill"), 009 (unnamed), and 0011 (unnamed).
From the Eon film franchise: 001–009 have appeared or been referenced across the film series, notably including 006/Alec Trevelyan (GoldenEye), 002/Bill Fairbanks (The Man with the Golden Gun), 009 (killed in Octopussy), and Nomi as a temporary 007 (No Time to Die).
From other media: Numerous expanded universe works including continuation novels, comic strips, and video games have introduced additional named 00 agents such as 001/Edward Donne, 004/Scarlett Papava, and 003/Jack Mason (Everything or Nothing video game).
