Producers tap U.K. newcomer as Bond girl

British newcomer and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni Gemma Arterton has landed a plum post-graduation role: "Bond girl" opposite Daniel Craig's 007.

Arterton, who graduated from the prestigious U.K. acting academy just last year, has been cast for the upcoming instalment of the longlasting spy franchise, filming under the working title of Bond 22.

Few details were available about Arterton's character, who will be known as Fields, but a production representative told trade paper Hollywood Reporter "it's a nice-sized role" for the 21-year-old ingenue.

The casting choice of a little-known actress as a "Bond girl" is somewhat of a tradition, with Ursula Andress, Jane Seymour and Eva Green among the actresses finding fame after playing love interests to various James Bonds on the silver screen.

Previously, Arterton's most prominent role was playing an unruly student in the recent comedy remake St. Trinian's, based on the 1950s British boarding school movie series. Released in December, the remake also starred Colin Firth and Rupert Everett.

The upcoming Bond film, which is set for release Nov. 7, will be Craig's second foray as Ian Fleming's famed British spy.

German-born, Swiss director Marc Forster, whose credits include The Kiterunner, Finding Neverland and Monster's Ball, is helming the new production and worked with Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis to adapt a screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

Last week, producers announced that French actor Mathieu Amalric star of the critically acclaimed biopic The Diving Bell and the Butterfly will portrayBond's nemesis in the new film.