Former Bond extra Nathan Pegler reveals what happened on set of the 2021 hit Bond flick No Time to Die.
While we’re still in the dark over who will be the next James Bond, Daniel Craig’s debut as 007 turns 20 this year. Casino Royale, which first saw Craig slip into Bond’s tuxedo (and swimming trunks) in 2006, is even set to return to cinemas in October to mark the milestone.
Craig went on to play the iconic spy across five films, bowing out with the 2021 blockbuster No Time to Die. But while Bond movies are famous for their huge budgets, spectacular stunts and top-secret storylines, what is it actually like to work behind the scenes on one?
Nathan Pegler, 52, has enjoyed a successful career as a background actor. He’s featured in No Time to Die, filming alongside Craig at Pinewood Studios, and has also worked with other Hollywood giants, including Tom Cruise.
Opening up to online casino team, Nathan reveals what really happens on the set of a Bond movie, from strict no-phone rules and intense firearms security to long days spent waiting for a few minutes in front of the camera, and why Daniel earned a reputation as an ‘ice man’.
How did you apply for the extra role in No Time to Die?
I was already registered with one of the supporting artist agencies that were casting for the background roles, so I simply got an email. It was actually very last minute, as I was a replacement for somebody. The agency emailed me. I replied saying I was available, and I got the gig.
What scenes did you film?
My character was in the last 30 minutes of the film, when Bond goes to Lyutsifer Safin’s base – the old Russian submarine base. I was one of Safin’s lab techs in the elevated lab that got blown up. We actually shot a lot more footage for that scene, and I really thought I was going to get some good screen time. But, with all big productions, they shoot a lot of footage so they have plenty to work with in the edit, and a lot got cut. So no lines, unfortunately. Bond arrives at the lab and fires two rounds into the air. Lashana Lynch’s character, Nomi, rounds us up because they’re actually after the main lab guy, although I don’t recall his name. We get rounded up, then there’s an opportunity for us to escape, and we all basically scatter. That’s where you get a glimpse of me.
What was your main instruction?
Mainly, we were positioned around the lab. I was one of the techs looking after one of the tanks, so we were basically told where to stand and who we were working alongside. It was all fairly straightforward and wasn’t a very complicated scene, to be honest, but these things take time to film.
This film was Daniel Craig’s last. Could you feel that on set?
As a Bond fan, I was just trying to absorb the fact that I was actually at Pinewood filming a Bond movie. That was quite major for me. There wasn’t really a sense that it was the last one. With Daniel there, there was obviously a bit of a different energy between everyone because he was there with us, but there wasn’t so much a sense that it was the end.
You got to film with Daniel. What surprised you most about his performance or technique?
I’d been told that Daniel had a bit of a reputation for being an ‘ice man’ on set because he stays in character. When we were shooting, I kept saying to myself, ‘It’s Bond!’ He was pretty ice cold and very focused. He wasn’t going to go out of his way to chat because he was trying to stay in character. But to be honest, I was there working, and he was there working. I’ve got a lot of experience as a background actor, and we’re not really encouraged to approach the actors during the working day unless it happens naturally and you find yourself standing next to each other. So, I didn’t really get the chance to chat with him properly.
Were there any strange rules on set?
No mobile phones. I didn’t have my phone for 14 hours. When you get to your costume area, you hand your phone in. There’s a security guy whose job is to take the phones and give you a ticket with a number on it, which you have to keep safe. Then, at the end of the day, you go back to the lockbox and get your phone back. It’s all about keeping everything secret.
Do you have to sign an NDA?
Yes, you do. That’s pretty standard for background actors.
What were the working hours?
It was just one day on Bond. We’d been there since 6.30am, but we were held on a double-decker bus outside the 007 Stage for most of the day. We didn’t actually get onto the set until around 4.30pm, and then we filmed our scene, and that was it.
There can be a lot of waiting around as a background actor. Sometimes you’re held on set and can watch what’s going on, but because this was such a huge soundstage with so much happening, we were kept off to the side until we were needed.
What do you think about the rumours that Jack Lowden is going to be the new Bond?
I’m not overly familiar with him, but I know he seems to be the latest contender. I follow TV and film magazines, and you do hear rumours about what’s going on in the industry from other people working on different sets. I wasn’t aware they were actively looking for the next Bond. I’m thinking this could still just be another red herring.
How much do you get paid as a background actor on Bond?
The bigger films are the ones to get on for the financial reward, to be honest. The basic day rate is a little bit better, and you can get bonuses for working within certain London zones. The hours are long, so the overtime can be good and well paid, but it does mean you sometimes need to be somewhere at 4am and not finish until eight or nine at night. A normal day rate might be around £120 a day, so it’s not huge. Just because you’re working on TV with A-listers, it doesn’t mean the pay will be big.
For Bond, I would have got my basic day rate, travel payment and a zone payment because I was working at Pinewood. I also had an early call because I was called before 6.30am, so that was another bonus. I don’t remember exactly what I earned that day, but it was probably around £300, maybe a little bit more.
Have you worked with any other big actors?
I worked with Tom Cruise on Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. I was booked as a background actor to film at Birmingham New Street Station, which was doubling as Dubai Airport. The scene is near the beginning of the film, when Tom is with his co-star Hayley Atwell. I was there as a passenger, so there was lots of movement, walking up and down sections of New Street Station and recreating an airport environment. They set up a scene with another background actor and me in a café. It was basically Tom, Hayley, myself and another guy. Their characters are being pursued, and they push past us, so I was almost bumping into Tom Cruise.
Did you get to chat with him?
Yeah! Between takes, Tom, Hayley, my friend Steve and I were all in close proximity while they reset. We were standing around together for over an hour and a half, mingling and having little chats. It was very odd, but Tom seemed genuinely happy to engage in small talk. It didn’t feel like a chore for him. We were near the railings overlooking where everyone was getting off the trains, because that part of the station was still open as normal. Tom kept going up to the barrier and waving, and everyone was screaming and shouting. At one point, I went up to the barrier a few feet away from him and waved as well. When we came back, I said, ‘Was all that screaming and shouting for me or you, Tom?’ He thought that was quite funny. We also chatted about shoes. He had a suit on, but because you weren’t going to see his feet in the scene, he had these big black Skechers trainers on. I had Skechers on as part of my costume too, so I said, ‘You’ve got your comfy shoes on today then, Tom. I’ve got my Skechers on as well.’ He said, ‘Oh man, it’s all about the footwear.’
What’s been your favourite project to be a part of?
Poldark. I played mine owner Cary Warleggan’s footman, Cardy, and got to appear in several scenes with lines. I had scenes with Aidan Turner, Pip Torrens, who played Cary Warleggan, and Jack Farthing, who played George Warleggan. I even got to have a little fight with George Warleggan at one point. It was a crazy three months, and I wasn’t expecting it at all. I got booked on merit because I’d done a couple of jobs previously for the same production company, unbeknownst to me. They saw my name and booked me, but they didn’t tell me I had lines because they knew I might freak out!
Ever had a bad experience with an actor?
I won’t name names, but I’ve had a few unfortunate moments where people just weren’t very friendly or barely acknowledged anyone else on set. These were household British names. It’s sad because you watch them in a film or a TV show and just expect them to be nice. I always give people the benefit of the doubt and put it down to them having a bad day, but it is a bit of a let down when you experience that.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into background acting?
Do your research on the agencies because there are a lot out there. A Google search will give you the top five or so, and I’d start by looking into those and finding out which ones are reputable. It’s as simple as wanting to do it, wanting to be involved and being interested in the industry. I kind of got into it as a sideline. I was interested in the industry, but I had no aspirations to become a lead actor. I’d already started my new business as an illustrator, so I was really just looking for a side hustle.
