Q (James Bond) Q (James Bond) Q is a fictional character in the James Bond films and film novelisations. Q (standing for Quartermaster as well as a reference to the deceptive Q-ships) is a job title, unlike M, which is a cypher for the character's name. He is the head of Q Branch (or later Q Division), the fictional research and development division of the British Secret Service. Q has appeared in 21 of the 24 Eon Productions James Bond films, the exceptions being "Live and Let Die", the 2006 "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace". The character was also featured in both
Motifs in the James Bond film series films from "Dr. No" in 1962 to "Moonraker" in 1979. With Lee's illness from stomach cancer in 1980–1981, he was unable to appear in his scenes for "For Your Eyes Only"; he died on 16 January 1981 and, out of respect, no new actor was hired to assume the role for the film. Instead, the script was re-written so that the character is said to be on leave, letting Chief of Staff Bill Tanner takes over the role as acting head of MI6 and briefing Bond alongside the Minister of Defence. Lee was replaced for four films between 1983 and