Naomie Harris Says Starring in 3 James Bond Films with Daniel Craig Was Like ‘Returning to a Family Each Time’ (Exclusive)

Naomie Harris says the cast of the most recent James Bond movies became like “family.”

“It’s been a long time, but I think one of the most meaningful parts for me was just returning to a family each time, you know,” the Black Bag star told PEOPLE at the film’s Sunday, March 9, New York City premiere.

As Harris, 48, noted, it’s been over a decade since she first appeared as classic 007 character Eve Moneypenny in 2012’s Skyfall. The critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated third James Bond film to star Daniel Craig as the super spy reintroduced the “Miss Moneypenny” character — frequently depicted as a bright secretary with a bit of a crush on Bond — as a spy in her own right. By the film’s end, however, Harris’ version of the character retires from fieldwork to take up her traditional post as secretary to the new M (Ralph Fiennes).

Harris reprised the role alongside Craig, Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear in the most recent two Bond films, 2015’s Spectre and 2021’s No Time to Die, forming a special bond with her costars.

“As an actor you’re usually going around the world kind of like on your own without a tribe or anything,” Harris told PEOPLE. “And then with the franchise, I finally found my tribe and my family.”

Harris got to put her cinematic espionage experience to good use as Dr. Zoe Vaughan in Black Bag. The Steven Soderbergh-directed thriller revolves around intelligence agent George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) who is tasked with investigating his own wife, fellow spy Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett) after she is suspected of treason.

But after playing Moneypenny in three 007 films, Harris’ own allegiances haven’t shifted.

“Obviously being part of the James Bond franchise, I would have to say James Bond is the ultimate spy,” she said. “I truly do believe that. I grew up watching Bond movies and I love.”

She also echoed Fassbender, who told PEOPLE that his favorite spy movie is 2006’s Casino Royale, Craig’s first outing as Bond.

“In terms of my favorite movie, I think … it would be Casino Royale,” Harris said.