Rising star Gemma Arterton competed against 1,500 other hopefuls to win the role of Agent Fields in Quantum of Solace.

Born and raised in Kent in the South East of England, Arterton honed her acting skills at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. She performed in several stage plays at the RADA and made her stage debut.

She made her feature debut starring in the recently released St. Trinian's directed by Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson. Arterton plays Kelly (The Head Girl) in this modern version of the original St. Trinian's film. The film co-stars big Brit actors Rupert Everett, Russell Brand and Colin Firth.

Before joining Quantum of Solace, Arterton had just completed filming 3 And Out, directed by Jonathon Girshfield. Arterton plays the role of Frankie in this comedy starring alongside Imelda Staunton and Mackenzie Crook. Also last year, she filmed the crime thriller Rocknrolla, directed by Guy Richie, co-starring Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton and Mark Strong.

On television, Arterton was seen late last year in Stephen Poliakoff's Capturing Mary (BBC). She has also recently finished filming Lost in Austin for ITV, directed by Dan Zeff in which she plays the character Elizabeth Bennett starring alongside Jemima Rooper, Alex Kingston and Tom Riley.

On stage, Arterton appeared last year as Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost, directed by Dominic Dromgoole at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.