Daniel Craig has revealed he is now embracing roles he once avoided during his 15-year stint as James Bond, saying he is “enjoying it more than ever”.
The 57-year-old said leaving 007 behind has allowed him to take on characters without feeling “self-conscious”, crediting his post-Bond projects for freeing him creatively.
Mr Craig told Radio Times he is no longer saying no to roles that once felt incompatible with his image as the world’s most famous spy.
“I suppose I started freeing myself up from any convention,” he said, explaining that, whilst Bond limited the type of characters he felt comfortable playing, stepping away has opened the door to stranger, riskier performances.
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Daniel Craig is currently filming Greta Gerwig’s The Magician’s Nephew
| PAMr Craig transformed the James Bond franchise during his 15-year tenure, redefining the iconic character with a tougher, more grounded approach.
His arrival marked a bold shift for the 007 films, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006 and concluding with his final chapter in No Time to Die in 2021.
Across five films, Craig replaced Pierce Brosnan and steered the franchise into a darker, more emotionally complex era.
Casino Royale earned critical acclaim for reinventing Bond, portraying him as a vulnerable yet dangerous agent at the start of his career.
Daniel Craig was the latest James Bond
| PAThe story arc extended across Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre, leading to a definitive ending in No Time to Die.
His departure marked the first complete narrative conclusion for any Bond actor, closing out a historic and influential run.
He is currently filming Greta Gerwig’s The Magician’s Nephew and will return as detective Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man, the third instalment of Netflix’s Knives Out franchise.
Mr Craig said he works harder on Blanc than audiences realise, admitting: “He’s not uncomplicated to play. I don’t turn up on day one and go, ‘I know how to do this.’ I work on it and work on it.”
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The actor announced his 007 exit in 2019
| GETTYHowever, Mr Craig confessed that acting still does not guarantee happiness.
“I love my job but does it make me happy? Not always,” he said.
The star said the industry has often kept him away from family, but he values everyday moments such as watching Strictly Come Dancing with his children.
He also insisted playing detectives and spies on screen has not made him any more skilled in real life.
Asked whether he could solve a mystery himself, Mr Craig laughed: “It’s like asking me, ‘Do you think playing James Bond made you better at being a spy?’ It’s not going to happen.”
Despite the pressures of Hollywood, Mr Craig said he is finally relishing his career.
“I’m working harder than I ever have, but I’m also just enjoying it more than I ever have,” he shared.
Daniel Craig admitted he is loving acting "more than ever"
| GETTYMr Craig and director Rian Johnson have hinted they are open to more Knives Out films, but only if the stories stay inventive.
“As long as Rian keeps inventing it the way he does, then I’m in,” Mr Craig said.
🔗 Full interview available via Radio Times.
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