James Bond's grandfather? Bill Nighy 'wants a belated action career' at 76

At 76, Bill Nighy is a man who's not afraid to poke fun at himself. In a world where young actors are constantly vying to play the iconic role of James Bond, Nighy quipped a few years ago that he'd be happy to play Bond's grandfather. Now, it seems, he's serious about taking his own stab at the action genre. We sit down with the veteran actor to discuss his latest Amazon Prime series, Ride or Die, and his plans for a belated action career.

Nighy's latest role in Ride or Die sees him playing The Director, the ruthless head of a mysterious assassination agency. This is a far cry from his previous hitman turn in the 2010 film Wild Target, where he played a character who used a gun for the first time on screen. 'I'm so pleased when anybody talks about Wild Target, because nobody talked about Wild Target when Wild Target was Wild Target,' Nighy tells Metro. It's clear that he's passionate about taking on more action-oriented roles, and Ride or Die's action-packed storyline seems to be the perfect fit.

The script for Ride or Die was quite specific about how The Director should be portrayed: quiet, collected, steely, and merciless. Nighy explains that the character's office, which is described as the size of an average cathedral, was a key influence in his performance. 'They put you in the right suit, and it's just a case of keeping a straight face,' he says with a chuckle. It's clear that Nighy is enjoying himself, and his transformation into The Director is evidence of his skill as an actor.

At 76, Nighy is at an age where many actors would be content to take on more sedate roles. However, it seems that he's just getting started. 'You get to my age, and you don't have to bulls**t,' he says with a wry smile. It's clear that he's eager to take on more challenging roles, and his desire for a belated action career is something that he's been open about for some time. With Ride or Die, it seems that he's finally getting the chance to pursue his passion for action films.

• Bill Nighy's new series, Ride or Die, is available on Amazon Prime
• Nighy has previously played a hitman in the 2010 film Wild Target
• Ride or Die follows the story of two best friends, Judith and Debbie, who are forced to go on the run when Judith fails to carry out a mission

As a writer, it's refreshing to see an actor like Bill Nighy embracing his age and taking on new challenges. His desire for a belated action career is something that I, for one, am excited to see play out. With Ride or Die, Nighy seems to be well on his way to making his mark in the action genre. Will he become the next James Bond?In the end, it's not about the number of years we have left, but about the impact we make in those years. For Bill Nighy and his fans, Ride or Die is a thrilling new chapter in the actor's illustrious career. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll see him taking on the role of James Bond's grandfather after all.