Timothy Dalton fantasy plots and humour. A fan of the literary character, often seen re-reading and referring to the novels on set, Dalton determined to approach the role and play truer to the original character described by Fleming. His 007, therefore, came across as a reluctant agent who did not always enjoy the assignments he was given, something seen on screen before, albeit obliquely, only in George Lazenby's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". In "The Living Daylights," for example, Bond tells a critical colleague, Saunders, "Stuff my orders! ... Tell M what you want. If he fires me, I'll thank him for
Antony Hamilton the role in "Samson and Delilah" which Hamilton won). Hamilton initially had misgivings about taking the role but ultimately accepted it. Hamilton's first episode aired on 24 November 1984. After Hexum's death, the series struggled in the ratings. CBS canceled "Cover Up" the following year. After the cancellation of "Cover Up", Hamilton was in talks to replace Roger Moore as the new James Bond in the 007 film series. "Bond" producer Albert R. Broccoli was reportedly hesitant to cast Hamilton as the womanizing James Bond because, in real life, Hamilton was gay. Timothy Dalton was ultimately cast as James Bond.