St Trinian’s Gemma Arterton - the new head girl of British film?

Gemma Arterton, who plays head girl Kelly in the updated St Trinian's film opening at cinemas this weekend, is getting so many offers of work she's being called the new Keira Knightley. Still only 21, Arterton has already appeared on TV opposite David Walliams in Capturing Mary, the recent Stephen Poliakoff drama, and on stage as Rosaline in Love's Labour Lost at the Globe. And since St Trinian's she's shot a second film, the black comedy 3 and Out with Antony Sher and Mackenzie Crook from The Office.

Arterton grabbed the role of Kelly from under the nose of Sienna Miller – a good example of the 'girl power' that she believes is central to the film . "People think of St Trinian's as the sexualisation of schoolkids," she told the Evening Standard, "but our film is more about girl power… I don't think there's a point in the film where the girls aren't in control; they're doing the trampling rather being trampled on."

Arterton is Rada-trained but not afraid to appear in big commercial films. "Everyone ridiculed [Keira Knightley] for doing the Pirates films, but she's getting great parts now. She can choose whatever she wants."

Now she's been picked from 1,500 hopefuls for a role in the next Bond film – working title Bond 22 – opposite the new James Bond, Daniel Craig. The only blot on her immediate horizon is that she's also agreed to appear in something called Rocknrolla. It's the latest gangster flick from Guy Ritchie, the man who brought us Swept Away and Revolver and still hasn't been forgiven. Still, at 21, you can afford the odd mistake.

Via thefirstpost.co.uk