James Bond girls are often victims rescued by Bond, fellow agents or allies, villainesses or members of an enemy organisation; sometimes, as with many 'pool' scenes, they are mere eye candy and have no direct involvement in Bond's mission.

The role of a Bond girl is typically a high-profile part that can give a major boost to the career of unestablished actresses (for example Jane Seymour, Rosamund Pike), although there have been a number of Bond girls that were well-established prior to gaining their role (for example Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg, Halle Berry).