She has transformed Miss Moneypenny from a timid secretary blindly besotted with James Bond into an action woman adept at swatting away 007’s sexist comments and MI6 misogyny.
Naomie Harris bravely spoke out against sexual harassment in entertainment, sharing how she was groped during auditions by an ‘huge’ star.
The most shocking part, she said, was that the executives of the film did not intervene and just watched as it unfolded.
Naomie Harris courageously speaks out on sexual harassment in the entertainment sector, telling how she was once groped during an audition by a “huge star”
The 45-year old actress spoke out today in an interview with The Mail. She said that it was a pity she had to go through one of these incidents, considering the extent of the sexual abuse within the industry.
Recalling how the unnamed actor slid his hand up her skirt while she was reading for a part, the actress says: ‘What was so shocking about it was the casting director was there and the director, and of course no one said anything because he was – he is – such a huge star.
“That was my one #MeToo incident. It was a very rare event considering the rife nature of that behavior.”
However, Ms. Harris has played Eve Moneypenny three times in Bond movies and suggests that attitudes and times are changing.
‘I was on a project where there was a #MeToo incident and there was no hesitation… [the perpetrator]She said that the item was removed immediately.
Current screen credits include Venom: Let There Be Carnage and No Time To Die. This disproves warnings that Harris’ career was at risk after she turns 40. However, her life was very different 20 years ago.
The role of Eve Moneypenny, played by Ms Harris in Bond’s three Bond films suggests that attitudes and times are changing. Above, she is seen in No Time to Die
Describing how she couldn’t even get shop work, she says: ‘Even Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer turned me down. I tried waitressing – and no one would have me.
“I had no idea what I was supposed to be called.” When no one was looking for me, I did not think that I would be able to call myself an ‘actress.
Achieving professional success is not the first time she has conquered adversity – having battled to recover from surgery to correct scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, aged 15.
Her memories include: “I had my ribs removed and my lung deflated. Then all my muscles close to my spine were cut so that they could place a rod up my back. My body had to teach me how to walk again. It was horrible.
“Going through so much trauma taught me that my health can be a precious gift.
“So I took the decision at a very young age to continue my education.