His hugely successful acting career was given an immeasurable boost when he landed the coveted role of James Bond some 15 years ago.
But Daniel Craig also made an appearance in a classic British TV favourite in the early stages of his career, when he starred in an episode of series Heartbeat back in 1993.
Then aged around just 25, the 53-year-old actor played Peter Begg, a local thug who had been jilted by his girlfriend in the one-off episode of the Yorkshire police drama.
Flashback Friday: Daniel Craig made an appearance in a classic British TV favourite in the early stages of his career, when he starred in an episode of series Heartbeat back in 1993
In the episode of the ’60s-set series, entitled A Chilly Reception, the budding star’s character raises suspicion among locals as he discusses returning to Birmingham.
Sporting a spiky buzz cut, Craig was seen sharing screen time with the show’s main character Police Sergeant Nick Rowan, played by Nick Berry.
The ITV show, which ran from 1992 until 2010, also featured two appearances by future Oscar-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch, in 2000 and 2004.
Last month, Craig reunited with comedian Catherine Tate for a Comic Relief skit, 12 years after they’d raised laughs for the same cause.
Thug: Then aged around just 25, the 53-year-old actor played Peter Begg, a local thug who had been jilted by his girlfriend in the one-off episode of the drama. Pictured with star Nick Berry
Tate, 51, tapped into her famous portrayal of Nan as she met the 007 actor when she picked up a part-time cleaning job at the Secret Intelligence Service headquarters.
The duo first joined forces for the charity 12 years ago as her unlucky-in-love character Elaine Figgis forged a romance with the screen spy.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the release date for James Bond’s No Time To Die’s had been altered again, to September 30, after it was announced that lockdown rules would be easing.
In February, Boris confirmed that cinemas in England will re-open on May 17 with social distancing measures in place, adding it’s hoped that all legal restrictions will be lifted on June 21 if the vaccination programme continues.
007: His successful acting career was given an immeasurable boost when he landed the coveted role of James Bond some 15 years ago. Pictured in his final 007 film No Time To Die
The film, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, was originally scheduled for release in April 2020, but was pushed back to November before the release was changed once again to April 2021 in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
No Time To Die is the 25th film in the series, and finds Bond after he has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica when his old friend Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, from the CIA turns up asking for help.
Leaving his seemingly happy life with Madeleine (Lea Seydoux), the protagonist returns to the field to face Safin (Rami Malek) who is armed with a new dangerous technology that could impact the world.
Since the Covid pandemic began, No Time To Die has opted to push back its release date rather than be released at a time when cinemas are either closed, or forced to open with limited capacity.
Buzzing: Sporting a spiky buzz cut, Craig was a budding star at the time. Pictured right in 2015
Producer Barbara Broccoli has already teased what fans can expect and said that the movie will deliver a satisfying ending for Daniel’s Bond.
Speaking on the official James Bond podcast, she said: ‘It’s a culmination of everything that his portrayal of the character has been through and it ties up all the storylines. It’s a pretty epic film, I have to say.’
After pushing the film’s release back to April 2021 in October, MGM quashed rumours about whether it was thinking of offering the film to streaming services for a $600 million one-year licensing deal.
‘We do not comment on rumours. The film is not for sale. The film’s release has been postponed until April 2021 in order to preserve the theatrical experience for moviegoers,’ an MGM spokesperson told Variety.
Reunited and it feels so good: Last month, Craig reunited with Catherine Tate for Comic Relief
Bloomberg had reported that Netflix, Amazon and Apple had all been approached about the possibility of the movie being offered up for Premium VOD.
However, according to Deadline.com, none of the streaming services were willing to put up more than half the amount the studio was seeking.
Lead actor Craig did defend James Bond producers’ decision to delay the premiere of the new film in October last year.
Speaking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Craig said: ‘This thing is just bigger than all of us. We want to release the movie at the same time all around the world and this isn’t the right time. So fingers cross April 2 is going to be our date.’
The new release will be Craig’s final outing as the spy after landing the role for 2006’s Casino Royale. He has also starred in Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.
Throwback: The comedian, 51, and the 007 actor, 53, first joined forces for the charity 12 years ago as her unlucky-in-love character Elaine Figgis forged a romance with the spy (pictured)