Daniel Craig talks post-James Bond career shift: ‘I’m not saying no anymore’

Daniel Craig is embracing a new chapter in his career and enjoying it like anything.

In a new interview with Radio Times, the 57-year-old actor said he feels more energized and creatively fulfilled than ever.

“I’m working harder than I ever have, but I’m also just enjoying it more than I ever have,” he shared, crediting this phase of his life with giving him the freedom to explore roles he might once have second-guessed.

Craig, who famously portrayed James Bond across five films from Casino Royale to No Time to Die, explained that stepping out of the 007 shadow has allowed him to say yes to projects that feel more daring and unexpected.

“I’m not saying no to things that I might have been a little bit wary about before,” he said, reflecting on how the contrast between Bond and other characters sometimes made him feel self-conscious during his tenure as the iconic spy.

In recent years, Craig has showcased his range with standout roles like detective Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out franchise and starring as William Lee in Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 romance Queer.

The actor is currently gearing up for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the next chapter in Rian Johnson’s hit whodunit series. The star-studded cast includes Glenn Close, Josh O’Connor, and Mila Kunis, promising another stylish, twist-filled adventure.