007 First Light's secret best character was a perfect way for IO Interactive to celebrate British writing and "restrained emotion"

IO Interactive has shared new development insight into what might be the standout character in 007 First Light: James Bond’s mentor, John Greenway. Played by The Walking Dead and Line of Duty actor Lennie James, Greenway starts as a locked door—cold, surly, and deeply skeptical of Bond’s maverick ways. Over the course of the game, he gradually opens up, culminating in a quietly devastating final scene.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just another mentor arc. It’s a deliberate celebration of British storytelling—what main writer Michael Vogt calls “restrained emotion.” In an era where blockbuster games often lean into melodrama, IO Interactive is betting that subtlety and character work can carry a Bond origin story. That’s a refreshing bet for anyone tired of overblown set pieces.

The mentor figure was always part of the plan. “Since it’s an origin story and he’s entering MI6, there always was a mentor figure,” Vogt told me at IO’s Brighton office last week. “It’s a classic dynamic… then Greenway is supposed to be the one who said, ‘No, it’s not about you, it’s about doing your duty.’”

The Art of Restrained Emotion

Greenway’s arc is mirrored by Sir Nicholas Webb, the creator of the game’s AI superbrain Theia. Webb is “an extreme version of Greenway”—a man who doesn’t believe in individual heroism, who thinks humanity needs a benevolent AI to govern it. Bond, by contrast, represents “human excellence” and maverick spirit. The two characters form the ideological poles of the story.

The key moment comes when a fatally wounded Greenway asks Bond to simply sit next to him and admire the view. Quietly, discreetly, he slips away. Vogt knew the scene was expected—the mentor always dies—but he wanted it to feel “scorching” rather than melodramatic.

“We were always very conscious to write in a subtle way, a restrained way because Bond is a celebration of all things British… you want not necessarily the stiff upper lip but the restrained emotion compared to maybe the American style, which is much more melodramatic.”

Ad

Vogt added that this tonal restraint “is probably in our DNA”—something Scandinavians share with the British, making it a natural fit for the Danish studio.

What This Means for Gamers

This focus on character and theme didn’t come without friction. Vogt admitted he “struggled” with the killer robots in the Antarctic villain’s layer. That idea came from the gameplay team, not narrative. “It’s such a strong trope,” he said. “I was afraid that no matter how many times characters would repeat that they are not supposed to act like this, people would walk away thinking Webb was just about killer robots.” He’s relieved the team managed to massage it in without undermining the villain’s moral complexity.

Similarly, Vogt expressed regret that players never get to experience Theia’s full power in the field. There were originally plans for Bond to report to Moneypenny and see her lightning-fast data analysis—a taste of what it’s like to be “Theia-powered.” Those moments were cut during level reframing.

The bigger picture here is that IO Interactive is treating 007 First Light as a real narrative experiment—one that prioritizes character and theme over gameplay tropes. In a market flooded with bombastic shooters, that’s a gamble worth watching.

As for what’s next? The game is set to release later this year. If Greenway’s arc is any indication, IO is aiming for something quieter, smarter, and more British than the typical Bond game. Whether players embrace that restraint will be the real test.