Bill Tanner is the fictional Chief of Staff for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6). Based on the recurring literary character, who first appeared in the 1955 Ian Fleming novel Moonraker, he was portrayed by English actor Michael Kitchen in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye and 1999's The World Is Not Enough.
Biography[]
GoldenEye[]
Tanner is only briefly seen in the Situation Room when the GoldenEye weapon is set off over Severnaya. Tanner gets scolded here for calling the new M, "the Evil Queen of Numbers" while she is right behind him. He then gives her and James Bond a briefing of the GoldenEye weapon and the specifications of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) technology.
The World Is Not Enough[]
Tanner is seen at the castle in Scotland at an MI6 debriefing the agents on the murder of Sir Robert King, father of Elektra King. When Bond comes to the conclusion that 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 is attempting to find Bond using a camera in Istanbul.
Behind the Scenes[]
- As Michael Kitchen was unable to reprise his role for Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), the character of Charles Robinson (played by Colin Salmon), was created in his stead. Both characters later appeared in The World Is Not Enough (1999).
- Kitchen was the first actor to portray Tanner more than once in film.
See also[]
- Bill Tanner
- Bill Tanner (Literary)
- Bill Tanner (Michael Goodliffe)
- Bill Tanner (James Villiers)
- Bill Tanner (Rory Kinnear)
- Bill Tanner (Nicky Henson)
Gallery[]
Bill Tanner (Michael Kitchen)/Gallery
References[]