In it’s nearly 50-year history, only two African-American Bond Girls have graced the silver screen: Gloria Hendry as Rosie Carver in Live and Let Die (1973) and Halle Berry as Giacinta “Jinx” Johnson in Die Another Day (2002). This year, we’ll see Daniel Craig return as the British spy in Skyfall with another brown bombshell, Miss Naomie Harris, at his side.
If you don’t know who Naomie Harris is now, you will by year’s end. The 36-year old British actress is mostly known for her work in the films 28 Days Later and Pirates of the Carribean, but her star will get international shine as Field Agent Eve in the upcoming Bond flick. Harris is looking to refocus the iconic role from sex kitten to kick ass agent in her own right. In an interview with this month’s InStyle UK, the cover girl talks about her role and what it means for women today.
“She’s very intelligent and highly ambitious–her aim is to be as capable as James Bond,” Harris says. “It’s much more evolved, much more reflective of how women are now–multifaceted, multidimensional and equal to men. It’s amazing, sometimes, you watch other movies and you think, ‘Wow, are we really still there…where the woman’s offering the drinks and there’s nothing more to her?'”
Besides gushing about her co-star Daniel Craig, Naomie also talks about her appreciation for fashion, something all Bond girls have a knack for. “Cavalli and Erdem are two of my favorite designers and I love Gucci as well. I’m definitely getting more into fashion.”
There’s no doubt that the success of this film can catapult Naomie to another level in her blossoming career. As women, we sometimes work so hard that we forget about a personal life- something she can relate to: “I better get moving if I do want kids! This profession is pretty demanding. I don’t know if I could deal with a kid as well, but then many actresses do, so it can’t be that impossible.” We look forward to seeing this Vixen make her mark in what is sure to be a blockbuster hit. Read the rest of Naomie’s story in InStyle UK when it hits stands this Thursday. —Nicole Brown