Introducing The New 007, Lashana Lynch!

Over the years, we’ve seen about half a dozen actors assume the role of late author Ian Fleming’s British secret agent, James Bond. And he’s always been male. And he’s always been white. Until now. Lashana Lynch is reportedly making history as she assumes her new 007 role for the upcoming James Bond project, Bond 25. 007 is now female, black, and beautiful.

Media headlines have hailed Lynch as the next James Bond, but that isn’t exactly true. She won’t be replacing James Bond in the traditional sense. Instead the 31-year-old actress will be introduced as the new 007, who will assume the notorious British spy’s code number after he leaves the U.K.’s secret intelligence agency. Of all of the Bonds that we’ve seen on the big screen, Daniel Craig has been the most popular. Get excited, because he is returning for the upcoming film and the franchise’s 25th entry. At the start of the movie, viewers will learn that Bond has retired from the agency; however, he’s been called back for duty to help deal with a new crisis.

A movie insider told Deadline, "There is a pivotal scene at the start of the film where M says 'Come in 007', and in walks Lashana, who is black, beautiful, and a woman. It’s a popcorn-dropping moment. Bond is still Bond, but he's been replaced as 007 by this stunning woman.”

Amid conversations that Bond may no longer be relevant due to the way he treats women, feminist TV writer (and star of "Fleabag") Phoebe Waller-Bridge was brought in to keep the 57-year-old franchise modern, making her the second woman in Bond history to be credited on a script. Her goal is to evolve the James Bond franchise to become more pro-women.

Lynch is best known for her role as fighter pilot Maria Rambeau earlier this year in Captain Marvel and as Rosaline Capulet in the ABC period drama series "Still Star-Crossed". Also starring in the film are Rami Malek, Billy Magnusse, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Kinnear, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, and Jeffrey Wright. The upcoming film is currently being shot in Italy and the U.K.