British newcomer Gemma Arterton has been cast as the Bond girl for the latest installment of the James Bond franchise now filming in London for Columbia Pictures and MGM.

The film’s production companies late last week said Arterton will play Fields in the Marc Forster-directed movie, which has the working title of Bond 22 and stars Daniel Craig as Agent 007.

Talk of Arterton’s casting has been swirling since mid-December but had been unconfirmed by the producers. On Friday, Eon Prods. in London and Santa Monica-based Danjaq Prods., as well as Arterton’s agent, ICM in London, confirmed the casting. Details of her character were not available, but a Danjaq rep said “it’s a nice-sized role.”

The 21-year-old Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts grad joins a cast that includes Craig, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright and Jesper Christensen.

The casting of Arterton, who has just a handful of movie roles under her belt, continues the tradition of Bond producers usually choosing less established actresses for the coveted part, including Ursula Andress (Dr. No), Jane Seymour (Live and Let Die) and Eva Green (2006’s Casino Royale).

The latest Bond film will take up where Casino Royale left off. Paul Haggis teamed with Forster on a draft of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade’s screenplay. The movie is set for release Nov. 7.

Arterton’s credits include the remake of the girls’ school comedy St. Trinian’s, which was recently released in the U.K.

She recently completed filming on Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, set for release in October.

Source: Hollywood Reporter