The award-winning star is best known for his role as the fictional British spy, but before he found fame, he starred in a beloved ITV soap opera.
Daniel Craig is best known for his role as James Bond (Image: Getty Images)
He is best known for portraying the suave and sophisticated fictional spy, James Bond, after landing the role some 20 years ago. But before Daniel Craig catapulted to fame as 007, he made a small appearance in a classic British TV favourite in the early stages of his career. Back in 1993, the award-winning actor starred in a little-known episode of Heartbeat.
Then aged just 25 years old, the Hollywood favourite played Peter Begg, a local thug who had been jilted by his girlfriend in the one-off episode of the Yorkshire police drama. In the episode set in the ‘60s, titled A Chilly Reception, his character raises suspicion among locals as he discusses returning to Birmingham.
Rocking a spikey buzz cut, Craig shared the screen with the show’s staple character, police sergeant Nick Rowan, played by Nick Berry. But Craig isn’t the only A-list star to make an appearance on the ITV show, which ran from 1992 to 2010.
Oscar-winner Benedict Cumberbatch also made two appearances in the show in 2000 and 2004. Adolescent writer and star Stephen Graham also landed a role on the show in the 1993 episode, Riders of the Storm.
Other familiar faces who starred on the show included Charlotte Church in 1999 at just 13 and Take That frontman Gary Barlow for the 150th episode in 2000. Five years after he bowed out after No Time To Die, the legendary actor now boasts a dramatic new look from what fans are used to.
Appearing on the Italian chat show, Craig had longer hair, which he grew for his recent role in the period drama movie, Queer. Speaking to the host, he fondly remembers his days of playing Bond: “I still can’t believe it, it was an honour.
Daniel Craig starred in an episode of Heartbeat back in 1993 (Image: ITV)
“But I can’t take a step forward, get out of it, because it was an important part of my life.” Last year, Amazon took over the film franchise in a surprise move. The 007 movies’ longtime producers – Barbara and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson – have handed creative control over to Amazon MGM Studios in a massive deal.
Since his departure from the role, there have been all kinds of rumours flying about who the next James Bond could be. Apparently, Jacob Elordi has been in talks; meanwhile, body language experts are examining Callum Turner’s coy responses when questioned on the matter in interviews.
What’s official is that Amazon has hired Amy Pascal and David Heyman to produce, Denis Villeneuve to direct, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight as screenwriter.
