Everyone talks about “Bond girls”—but maybe it’s time we talked about the Hunt girls. Hunt as in Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt and his eight Mission: Impossible films.
Where James Bond’s love interests often leaned on glamour and seduction, Ethan Hunt’s female co-stars have been cut from a different cloth: elite spies, expert thieves, brilliant tacticians, and in many cases, emotional anchors who go far beyond eye candy. The Mission: Impossible franchise has built its legacy on high-octane stunts and global intrigue, but its secret weapon might just be the women who run, fight, hack, shoot, and scheme right alongside its fearless lead.
From stealthy infiltrators to field-tested agents and quick-witted thieves, the women of the Mission: Impossible universe have always matched—and often surpassed—their male counterparts in skill, brains, and sheer presence. While the franchise has always centered around Tom Cruise’s death-defying Ethan Hunt, it’s the dynamic female co-stars who’ve added layers of intrigue, emotion, and style to each chapter. e
Here’s our countdown of the most unforgettable—and yes, hottest—female co-stars in Mission: Impossible history.
8. Claire Phelps (Emmanuelle Béart)
Appearing in Brian De Palma’s 1996 original, Emmanuelle Béart’s Claire Phelps added immediate mystery and seduction to the franchise’s first installment. As the enigmatic wife of IMF leader Jim Phelps, Claire straddles the line between ally and traitor with a quiet intensity.
Her chemistry with Ethan, coupled with her ambiguous loyalties, helped establish the film’s web of deception and made her a compelling and haunting presence long after the credits rolled.
7. Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandiwe Newton)
In Mission: Impossible 2, Thandiwe Newton brought elegance and emotional complexity to the role of Nyah, a master thief recruited to help stop a biological threat. Nyah’s storyline put her directly in the crosshairs of danger, forcing her to make heartbreaking choices that ultimately deepen Ethan’s character. Her vulnerability never undermined her agency, and Newton’s performance remains one of the more emotionally rich in the series.
6. Lindsey Farris (Keri Russell)
Keri Russell may have had limited screen time in Mission: Impossible III, but her impact was undeniable. As Ethan’s promising protégé, Lindsey’s tragic fate sets the tone for the film’s emotional stakes. Her loss humanizes Ethan, reminding us of the cost of the job and adding a deeply personal motivation to his mission. Russell played Lindsey with the right mix of toughness and heart, making her brief arc unforgettable.
5. Jane Carter (Paula Patton)
Ghost Protocol introduced audiences to Paula Patton’s Jane Carter, a field agent driven by justice and revenge. Patton played Jane with fierce energy and steely determination, anchoring some of the film’s best action sequences.
Whether she was engaged in a brutal hotel room brawl or leading a covert mission in Dubai, Patton’s charisma made Jane Carter one of the most commanding presences in the franchise.
4. Zhen Lei (Maggie Q)
Maggie Q brought icy cool and calculated brilliance to the team in Mission: Impossible III. As Zhen Lei, she combined technological expertise with deadly efficiency, handling high-pressure situations with calm precision. Her character was stylish, composed, and utterly capable—traits that made her stand out even in a high-octane ensemble.
3. Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan)
The emotional core of Ethan Hunt’s life, Michelle Monaghan’s Julia Meade appeared across multiple films, starting in Mission: Impossible III. Julia provided the franchise with something rare: real vulnerability and grounded emotional stakes. Her love story with Ethan added a layer of humanity to the otherwise relentless action, and Monaghan’s performance evolved Julia into a figure of resilience and quiet strength in the face of chaos.
2. Grace (Hayley Atwell)
One of the freshest additions to the franchise, Hayley Atwell’s Grace made a striking debut in Dead Reckoning Part One. As a nimble, resourceful thief unexpectedly pulled into global espionage, Grace blends humor, charm, and survival instincts with sharp intelligence. Her chemistry with Cruise adds a playful tension, and her arc hints at a larger role in the saga’s final chapter. She’s not just a co-star—she’s a scene-stealer.
1. Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson)
No woman in the Mission: Impossible universe has captivated audiences quite like Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust. First introduced in Rogue Nation, the former MI6 operative balances grit, grace, and a sense of honor that rivals Ethan’s own.
With combat prowess, depth, and undeniable magnetism, Ferguson created a character who was never defined by her relationship to the hero, but stood firmly as his equal. Her complex relationship with Ethan gave the series one of its most compelling emotional through-lines, and her presence elevated every scene she was in.
From femme fatales to fearless warriors, these eight women have redefined what it means to be a “Bond girl” in the Mission: Impossible era—strong, capable, multi-dimensional, and unforgettable. Here’s hoping the next installment continues the franchise’s streak of spotlighting brilliant women who do more than just keep up—they set the pace.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is currently in theaters.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
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