Miss Moneypenny proves a big hit with the students at the University of Northampton

Speaking to a packed-out main hall at Maidwell, Samantha Bond talked about how she first got into acting, what it was like growing up in a theatrical family and how she wanted to be a ballet dancer until she was 15. She peppered her talk with some amusing stories, featuring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Pierce Brosnan, as well as providing the students with practical advice of what to expect from the acting world.

The session was very informal and Samantha was very engaging; encouraging students to ask questions throughout which covered topics, such as how to combat nerves, being properly prepared for an audition by taking a selection of scenes and crucially how to stay positive and pick yourself up when you get knocked down. She also touched on the most important lesson she has learned throughout her career, which is always listen and observe how other people work, as this is how you learn.

If you roll all four of the James Bond films I was in together, it’s actually the smallest part I’ve ever played. Yet it’s the one that everyone wants to talk about!

Samantha Bond

Samantha’s talk was part of Subject Futures Week, which is aimed at students from the University’s School of The Arts to provide them with the ideal opportunity to learn and understand where their subjects and courses can lead them once they have graduated.

Samantha Bond’s experience as an actor is something that is incredibly valuable to our actors-in-training. She is a generous and talented actor whose range of work and sustained career is a perfect exemplar and role model to our students at Northampton.

Ross Prior, Subject Leader for Acting & Drama, The School of The Arts