Daniel Craig has shared that stepping away from the role of James Bond has reignited his love for acting. The 57-year-old actor, who played 007 for 15 years across five films, says he now finds greater freedom in choosing roles and exploring new creative challenges.
Craig’s final Bond appearance came in No Time To Die in 2021, a decision he fully supported. Looking back, he explains that leaving the franchise has allowed him to approach acting without hesitation, taking on projects he might have once avoided.
“I’m not saying no to things I might have been a little wary about before,” Craig told Radio Times. He added, “When the Bond thing was going on in my life, the contrast between that and another role could sometimes feel self-conscious. I am working harder than I ever have, but I am also enjoying it more than I ever have. I get to do really interesting, different stuff.”
In previous interviews, Craig admitted that working on the Bond films had left him “empty” and “exhausted.” He explained, “Early on with Bond, I thought I had to do other work, but I didn’t. I was becoming a star, whatever that means, and people wanted me in their films. Incredible. Most actors are out of work for long periods, so you take your job offers—but they left me empty. Then, bottom line, I got paid.”
He also noted the physical and emotional toll of the franchise, saying it could take him six months to recover after a Bond film. “I always believed life must come first, and when work came first for a while, it really strung me out,” he reflected.
