Naomie Harris reveals who she believes should be the next James Bond

Naomie Harris has thrown her support behind Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page to be the next James Bond following Daniel Craig's exit and Amazon taking over the franchise.

The British actress, 48, who played Eve Moneypenny in three 007 movies, gushed over her recent co-star who has been tipped to be in contention the iconic role alongside the likes of Theo James, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Josh O'Connor.

While starring in a stunning shoot for Harper's Bazar UK she told the publication: 'I was just in Black Bag with Regé-Jean Page, and he does wear a suit very well.'

Naomie, who looked sensational in a string of glam gowns, was also cautious about Amazon's takeover of the beloved spy saga and said she hoped they wouldn't make 007 'too modern'.

Musing: 'We all grew up with Bond, and I think it needs those classic elements for people to connect with it'.

Elsewhere in the interview she revealed why her 2017 Best Supporting Actress nomination for drama Moonlight was '100% not what she wanted'. 

In the movie, which won the Oscar for Best Picture, Naomie played main character Chiron's drug addicted mother Paula and catapulted her onto the Awards show circuit. 

Recalling that time she said: 'It's a bit like doing a political campaign, and that's precisely not the reason I got involved in acting. I'm not particularly interested in selling myself, and yet there I was spending nine months publicising a film I'd done in three days'. 

Before adding: 'If that's what was supposed to be the pinnacle of my career, it was 100 per cent not what I wanted.'

She previously told The Guardian that she was so disillusioned following months promoting the film around the world that she even considered quitting showbiz.     

Admitting: 'I was completely burned out. I needed a break, I was like "I don't want to be an actress any more" I was thinking of opening a nail salon with my friend.'

Fans of 007 feared Amazon Studios would corrupt the iconic hero after buying the franchise rights for £770 million from Bond stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.

However, leaked memos circulated by the media giant to staff and revealed by The Mail on Sunday, have shown bosses will keep Bond male and British - despite speculation the iconic Ian Fleming hero could be portrayed by a woman.

'Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth - and he has to be male,' an insider said.

They added: 'Jeff is a massive Bond fan and while he's excited to see how Amazon can take the franchise forward there are certain things which are sacrosanct.'

One of Hollywood's most iconic roles, actors who played the suave, steely-eyed and devastatingly charming spy include Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton.

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Bond was last played by Daniel Craig, who portrayed the martini-loving action hero across five movies during his 15-year stint in the role.

But since Craig, 57,  hung up his tux in 2021, movie fans have shaken and stirred several names into the mix, from Idris Elba and Tom Hardy to Richard Madden and even Superman star, Henry Cavill. 

At one point even Brosnan - who played the fictional British spy in four films during the 1990s and early 2000s - was reportedly even asked if he would make a return. 

But it seems the bookies' favourite for the role is rising Brit talent, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. 

He sparked a frenzy among 007 fans when, in March 2022, The Sun reported he had been 'formally offered' the role 'should he wish to accept it'. 

However, since then, Taylor-Johnson, 34, has been dodging questions about joining the beloved spy series.

Speaking in December during the premier of his superhero movie, Kraven the Hunter, he laughed with Entertainment Tonight when asked about fan reaction to his rumoured role.

'I would say. Come see Kraven because that's what out this weekend and it's not going to disappoint,' the actor joked, as he deftly swerved the question. 'I promise you that, guys.'

Also among those in contention was Luther star Idris Elba, who topped a poll of 2,000 Brits asked who they would like to see as the next 007.  

But Elba has recently broken his silence on the rumours swirling around him potentially becoming the next Bond.

Speaking to Chris Moyles on his Radio X morning show in April, Elba denied he would be Craig's successor, saying he had been questions 'half-a-million times' over the rumour.

'The rumour has definitely done. And I mean, I'm ancient now. I don't know what kind of Bond I'd be,' he said. 

'It was definitely one of the biggest rumours. I'm arguably more famous for not playing Bond than some of the actors who did.'

He insisted he was not even interested in joining the famed franchise as a villain. 

Back in August 2022, it was reported Idris had walked away from 'years of talks' with movie bosses to take over the famous role.

He had been the bookies' favourite to replace Craig, but is keen to pursue other roles - and has even put forward a list of proposed names to producer Barbara Broccoli of actors to play 007.

A source told The Sun: 'Fans and Barbara wanted Idris but he wants to create something for himself.

'However, he's put forward names to play 007. He's 'informally' in the decision-making process as he's been in talks with producers for so long.' 

It's thought Amazon might now be seeking to recruit a younger actor to star as Bond. 

Read Naomie's full interview in Harper's Bazaar UK which is out now.