by Leo Barraclough | Variety
Actress Naomie Harris, best known around the world for her role in the recent James Bond movies, will receive this year’s Variety Award at the British Independent Film Awards ceremony Dec. 4. The award recognizes a director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact and helped to focus the international spotlight on Britain.
Previous recipients of the award include Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren and, last year, Kate Winslet.
Harris said: “I am touched and honored to be included alongside such an inspiring and talented group of filmmakers. Working in film has given me the chance to tell stories from around the world — and I’m incredibly proud to represent British film-making when doing so.”
Harris is best known to global audiences as Eve Moneypenny in Bond movies “Spectre” and “Skyfall” and as Tia Dalma in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. This year, she has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a drug-addicted mother in awards contender “Moonlight,” and also appeared in “Our Kind of Traitor.” Harris will be seen next in “Collateral Beauty,” opposite Will Smith and fellow Variety Award winners Winslet, Knightley, and Mirren.
Other credits include “Miami Vice,” “28 Days Later,” “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll,” and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Stage productions include “Frankenstein” with Benedict Cumberbatch, and TV roles include “White Teeth” and “Small Island.”
“Naomie is a versatile, intelligent actress who is making a huge impact internationally,” BIFA said in a statement.
The BIFA nominations will be announced Nov. 1. The ceremony will be held in London.