James Bond star Daniel Craig has hit back at claims that Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was hired for diversity, saying he requested her involvement because she's a "fucking great writer".
The actor will reprise his role as the British spy for the fifth and final time in No Time To Die, which hits cinema next April.
And, speaking recently, Craig rubbished any notion that Waller-Bridge was hired only because of her gender, saying that he requested her personally after dubbing her "one of the best English writers around".
Speaking to The Times about Waller-Bridge's hiring, Craig began by attempting to explain her approach to the franchise.
"She has been asked many times about what she is going to do, and her answer is that we're not really going to change anything," he said. "He's James Bond. But, of course, it's a different angle to come at."
But the actor then cut himself off, before adding: "Look, we're having a conversation about Phoebe's gender here, which is fucking ridiculous.
"She's a great writer. Why shouldn't we get Phoebe onto Bond? That's the answer to that. I know where you're going, but I don't actually want to have that conversation."
He added: "I know what you're trying to do, but it's wrong. It's absolutely wrong. She's a fucking great writer. One of the best English writers around. I said, 'Can we get her on the film?' That's where I came from."
The 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, is released in the UK on 3 April, 2020.
