Naomie Harris, of Pirates of the Carribbean and 28 Days Later fame, is the newest lady in waiting for Agent 007 in this fall’s hotly anticipated Skyfall. Starring opposite Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem, it’s a once-in- a-lifetime role for the British stunner.

Luckily for her, Harris is a bit more than the typical Bond girl sex object. This chick whups major ass as field agent Eve, working in tandem with the world’s most famous spy.

“I think the role of the Bond woman has changed so much over the years that it now doesn’t follow a typical archetypical view,” says Harris, via phone from South Africa, where she is starring as Winnie Mandela in a biopic. “Before, it was very much a beautiful woman who didn’t contribute much and who usually ended up getting killed or was arm candy for Bond. But now the women in a Bond movie have so much more to offer. I don’t know whether the title 'Bond girl' is relevant anymore, but I’m happy to go with the role.”

Harris agreed to the role without even reading the script and was happily surprised to learn that her character was well developed. Then the training started: two hours a day and nine months of running and shooting and combat training so she could hold her own with the boys.

“For someone who never ever exercises, it was a huge challenge and a lot to take on,” she says.

“It’s the most physical role I’ve ever done.” It’s also, frankly, fun to be a Black Brit starring in a British staple.

“I grew up with the Bond movies, and they’re really part of British culture. I love the way I’m representing modern British Black women in this movie. That for me is a real sign of how much society has advanced and become much more multicultural.”

Speaking of which, she does get personal with pretty boy Craig. Harris won’t dish on the details of what looks to be a kiss and perhaps something more in the movie, but she does admit that no woman can resist 007’s—or Craig’s—charms.

“I think Daniel is the ultimate Bond for me because he brings a whole new dimension to it,” says the actor. “And my character, Eve, is very ambitious and thrilled to be working alongside him… [Of course,] any woman who gets close to 007 ends up falling for his charms.”