Introducing Bond's black Moneypenny: Naomie Harris is the latest apple of 007's eye as she steps into the fictional secretary's shoes

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 6:49 PM on 3rd November 2011

It's a role that many actress would have love to play just for the chance to sidle up to the sexy double agent.

And Naomie Harris has become the newest woman to land the coveted part of Miss Moneypenny for the next James Bond adventure.

As a press conference today for the upcoming 007 film Skyfall, Harris, 35, was unveiled in the role of a field agent named Eve.

Big shoes to fill: Naomie Harris was unveiled as one of James Bond's new leading ladies, and although not confirmed, is believed to be stepping into the role of Miss Moneypenny

No one from the production was giving anything away but Eve will become the new Miss Moneypenny marking the first time the character has appeared in a Bond film since Samantha Bond played her in Die Another Day back in 2002.

The Daily Mail revealed the Moneypenny connection several weeks ago and film officials have said they won't confirm it on the record.

British actress Harris has had a steady rise to fame, landing her big break in Danny Boyle horror film 28 Days Later opposite Cillian Murphy.

New star: Naomie poses with Bond actor Daniel Craig and Bérénice Marlohe at today's press conference

She also starred alongside Johnny Depp in Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 (Dead Man's Chest) and 3 (At World's End).

And while she may not quite be a household name yet, she is making waves in the industry.

Harris was rewarded for her efforts in 28 Days Later by winning the Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance and later nominated for a Rising Star Award at the BAFTAs in 2007.

Predecessor: Samantha Bond was the last actress to play Moneypenny in Goldeneye in 1994 (L) and in Die Another Day in 2002, the last time the character appeared in a Bond film

She means business: Samantha's Moneypenny was quite stern with the double agent

It is looking likely that Eve will step into the role made famous by Lois Maxwell, who starred alongside Sean Connery and Roger Moore.

She was replaced by Caroline Bliss, who only starred in two Bond films alongside Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.

The character was then revived when Pierce Brosnan stepped into the Bond role in Goldeneye in 1995 right the way through to Die Another Day in 2002.

But when Daniel Craig took over the role as the double agent in 2005, Moneypenny didn't return - until now and the upcoming Skyfall, due for release in October 2012.

The original: The late Lois Maxwell played the secretary from the first Bond film Dr No until A View To a Kill in 1985

Miss Moneypenny was the creation of Bond author Ian Fleming and appeared from the start in his first Bond book Casino Royale.

She was originally called Miss 'Petty' Pettaval, believed to have been taken from Kathleen Pettigrew, the personal assistant to MI6 director Stewart Menzies, the Chief of MI6 during and after World War II but Fleming changed it so it wasn't obvious.

Enviable position: Maxwell starred alongside Connery's Bond, seen here with him in From Russia With Love in 1963...

... and with Roger Moore, seen here with him in The Spy Who Loved me in 1977

Miss Moneypenny is the clerk and private secretary to M, the head of MI6, now played by Dame Judi Dench.

She holds the rank of Lieutenant RN and is cleared for Top-Secret, Eyes-Only and Cabinet-Level intelligence reports.

Miss Moneypenny is also well-known for her flirtatious relationship with Bond although it has never been consummated.