The announcement of Sean Connery as cinema’s first James Bond, made on November 3, 1961, drew doubts about the little-known Scottish actor. A retrospective on press coverage of the role’s casting, from Connery through Daniel Craig, finds that media skepticism has accompanied several new Bonds over the decades.

Connery was an unfamiliar name to many readers when he was chosen, despite the anticipation surrounding a film adaptation of Ian Fleming’s bestselling novels. Some coverage questioned whether he would be good enough for the part. He went on to become a global star through the franchise and was frequently rated among the series’ best Bonds.

George Lazenby faced a different criticism when he was announced in 1968: he was a former male model with no acting experience. He played Bond in just one film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. By contrast, Roger Moore was already well known for television roles including The Saint when his casting was announced in 1972. Much of the coverage was positive, though some headlines emphasized that he was a TV actor.

Timothy Dalton’s Shakespearean background drew attention when he was named Bond in 1986, following Moore’s 12-year run. Dalton’s more serious interpretation was later seen as closer to Fleming’s literary character, in contrast with Moore’s lighter take. Dalton made two Bond films.

Pierce Brosnan was announced in 1994 after the franchise’s production hiatus. His role in Remington Steele had already made him a familiar, suave presence on television, and he had previously been unable to take the Bond role because of his TV contract. Daniel Craig, announced in 2005, faced especially loud criticism: headlines mocked his blond hair with the labels “James Blond” and “James Bland,” and a website opposed to his casting was set up. His debut in Casino Royale later won over many critics.

The retrospective notes that actors who were less established tended to face tougher scrutiny than Moore and Brosnan, whose television roles had made them familiar to audiences. It also points to renewed debate over possible successors to Craig, though the next Bond has not been named.

Sources: IGN.