James Bond: not the only spy we love

Shi Pei Pu, a Chinese opera singer and the inspiration for the play M. Butterfly. He led a mysterious life: he convinced Bernard Boursicot, a French diplomat, that he was a woman and that they had a child together. He was accused of obtaining state secrets from Boursicot, whom he claimed to still be in love with until the month before his death.

Young Wang, Reporter

It has to be James Bond. From his iconic catchphrases and charismatic charm to his enviable gadgets and completely plausible stunts, Bond has set the bar for spies the world over. And who doesn’t want an invisible car or a set of bagpipes that is actually a gun and a flame-thrower? Other spies, take note.

Lucy Christie, Sub-editor

Rudyard Kipling dreamed up this Irish orphan, born in 1881 and raised on the streets of India. Despite being white, Kim is fluent in most of the native languages. When the British army discovers his talents, they quickly recruit him into “the Great Game” – the race against Moscow to form allegiances with the often dangerous nations between India and Russia.

Sam Gusway, Sub-editor

Carrie Mathison from the TV series Homeland. Her role has changed a lot over the course of this gripping drama series, but the scene is set in season one when CIA agent Mathison secretly watches a US Marine who is believed to have been turned into a jihadist while in terrorist captivity. The premise makes for a phenomenal ride through suspicion, tragedy and lots of tense scenes. Mathison, who struggles with bipolar disorder, is a complex lead character who sticks to her guns.

Lauren James, Sub-editor

Tony Mendez is the hero in the film Argo. Set in 1979, the story follows 60 staff from the American embassy in Iran, who are taken hostage for political reasons. Tony, a CIA agent, is tasked with going to Iran to rescue six fellow CIA agents. He goes undercover as a film maker, and pulls off all the classic spy scenarios involving fake passports, military checkpoints and dangerous people, all while looking effortlessly cool.

Tiffany Choi, Junior Reporters’ Manager

Isabella Maria Boyd, also known as Belle Boyd or “Cleopatra of the Succession”, was a spy who provided General Stonewall Jackson with secret information during the American civil war in the 1860s. She worked at her father’s hotel and gathered important information every time union military officers visited. A remarkably intelligent spy, she constantly changed her communication methods to ensure she never left a trail or got into a predictable pattern.

Ben Pang, Reporter

Vladimir Putin, the current president of Russia, was in the KGB for 16 years. A student of law, he has risen through the ranks to become the leader of the largest country in the world, and in 2014 was named the most powerful man in the world by Forbes magazine. He’s known by his friends as having a great sense of humour, and I think he would need it to survive in the job that he does. Brand Putin is carefully managed by his PR team to make him look like the Russian version of Chuck Norris. But there is a lot of Bond in him too, for he is always on form.

Susan Ramsay, Editor

Aly Cooper from the Daughter of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. As a young girl, Aly is kidnapped and sold to a neighbouring country. She must live undercover as a slave to an important family as the country undergoes a delicate and bloody political transformation. The series looks at racism, bravery, tragedy and destiny through the eyes of a witty and engaging young heroine.

Heidi Yeung, Web sub-editor