Daniel Craig is back as James Bond

• IT’S an exciting time for movie-goers as the latest James Bond film finally reaches cinemas.

But the release of No Time To Die also means the return of seeing scars, burns, or marks, as shorthand for villainy on the big screen.

The daily reality of living with a disfigurement or visible difference is contending with staring and comments. For too many, experiencing abuse and hate is also a regular occurrence.

Research has found only one in five people with a visible difference has seen a character who looks like them cast as the hero in a film or on TV.

This combination of the disfigured villain trope – and lack of representation in any other roles – fuels and legitimises the trolling and harassment of people with visible differences.

Changing Faces campaigners have written an open letter to Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, calling for the next instalment to include a positive character with a visible difference. We hope the Extra readers will back this call for change.

CATHERINE DEAKIN
Deputy Chief Executive
Changing Faces
PO Box 76751
WC1A 9QR