James Bond star Daniel Craig has robustly defended his famously eccentric detective character, Benoit Blanc, against criticism of being 'over the top', stating that this is precisely the intention of the hit Knives Out franchise.
Embracing the Caricature
In a candid interview with Radio Times, the 57-year-old actor addressed critiques of his performance in 2022's Glass Onion, the second film in the series. Craig was clear that Blanc's exaggerated mannerisms are a deliberate creative choice. "I always try and remind people, that's what he was supposed to be," Craig explained. "The whole point of the movie was that Benoit Blanc was a caricature of himself, he was attempting to disarm these awful people."
Craig revealed his inspiration for the quirky, Southern-drawing sleuth comes from a range of iconic detectives, describing himself as "a magpie, like every other actor". He cited performances from Peter Ustinov's Poirot to Albert Finney in Murder on the Orient Express as key influences on the creation of Blanc.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Dark New Mystery
The actor was speaking ahead of the release of the third instalment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Craig, who reprises his role, suggested the new film's themes are sadly relevant to contemporary "scary times". The plot sees Blanc tackle his trickiest case yet: the seemingly impossible murder of a charismatic Monsignor (played by Josh Brolin) at a small Catholic parish in upstate New York.
Interestingly, the film's dark American Gothic setting was recreated not in the US, but in Epping Forest, Essex. The movie boasts another star-studded cast, including Andrew Scott, Glenn Close, and Josh O'Connor.
Praise and Insight from Co-Stars
Craig was effusive in his praise for co-lead Josh O'Connor, 35, known for The Crown and The Durrells. O'Connor plays Father Jud Duplenticy, a former professional boxer turned priest hiding dark secrets. "Josh is brilliant – you just want him to shine," said Craig. Veteran actress Glenn Close went further, comparing Craig's inherent quality to Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart, noting his "wonderful quality, a goodness that will be a comfort to people".
In a fascinating revelation, O'Connor credited Craig with helping him land the role and offered a surprising insight into the superstar's nature. "He's incredibly full of self-doubt and self-loathing… and constantly saying to me, 'What do you think about that?'" O'Connor shared. He contrasted this with Craig's confident Bond persona, describing him instead as "a sweet, insecure man who is incredibly charming and brings you in".
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will be released in selected cinemas and on Netflix from 12 December 2025.
