For your eyes only: Swedish Bond girls

James Bond's "Skyfall" premieres on Friday, featuring a sexy Swedish actor in a prominent role. But did you know that Swedish actresses have had a long-running love affair with British agent 007? The Local finds out more.

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Ever since Swiss beauty Ursula Andress emerged from the water in her famous white bikini in "Dr. No", 1962, the eye-catching Bond girls have become almost as iconic as the popular spy film franchise itself.

While inevitably sexy, Bond girls actually portray a range of characters when sharing the screen with the famed British agent.

Some play the pliant and devoted ally, ready to assist 007 as he battles with the villain du jour.

Other Bond girls act as evil seductive temptresses bent on Bond's demise.

And every so often, it seems the Bond girls are simply there for looks and laughs (who could forget "Holly Goodhead" and "Pussy Galore").

But regardless of the film, Bond girls have certainly left their mark with a legacy all their own.

Take for example, "Octopussy", in which Swede Maud Adams played the title role, in an uplifting performance which transformed Adams into a fan favourite.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LOCAL'S GALLERY OF SWEDISH BOND GIRLS

Since the first Bond film was released 50 years ago, the women who have played Bond girls have been from all over the world, from Japan to Jamaica, France to the Philippines.

But did you know that Bond has a penchant for Swedes, with six Swedish actresses playing a Bond girl at some point in their careers.

While the Bond girls in "Skyfall", the 23rd Bond film to date, are British and French, the movie nevertheless features Swedish talent of another kind.

For starters, Swedish actor Ola Rapace plays Patrice, who engages in some high-drama hand-to-hand combat with Bond, currently played by Brit Daniel Craig.

And another Swedish actor, Jens Hultén, also played a villain in "Skyfall" who exchanged blows with 007.

But which Bond film had two Swedish actresses?

And which Swede is the only actress to have played a Bond girl twice?

And does a woman with a half-Swedish father still count as a Swedish Bond girl?

All the answers to these questions and more in our gallery of Bond Girls from Sweden.

Oliver Gee
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