Well, it hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the UK’s Daily Mail is reporting this morning that the secretive role Naomie Harris has long been in the running for, since we first announced that she was being considered for a part in the next James Bond movie, is not quite THE Bond girl role, but rather, Miss Moneypenny, assistant to M, James Bond’s boss – a role originated by Lois Maxwell who played the character from 1962’s Dr No to 1985’s A View To A Kill.

Since then, 3 other actresses have played the part, with Naomi now being the 4th, and the first black woman to take on the role.

Whether or not Harris’ portrayal of Moneypenny will remain inline with previous characterizations of her, remains to be seen. It’s a relatively small part in the franchise, though memorable for her ongoing flirtation with Bond, creating some sexual tension between the two of them; however, their relationship has always been professional.

The Daily Mail says the actress is “in the final stages of negotiations to play Moneypenny in Bond 23, alongside Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Judi Dench which will begin shooting this year, with Sam Mendes at the helm.