Atherton hits out at male dominated film industry

Gemma Arterton has hit out at the film world for putting women in the “background” – and said that she has been seen “as a piece of a*s”.

The former Bond girl, who was catapulted to global fame when she landed the role of Agent Fields in 'Quantum Of Solace', said that she had almost been tempted to walk off film sets in the past because of mistreatment.

The 24-year-old said she had read too many of “the same” scripts, in which women languished in the shadows or were simply there to help the male lead.

She told GQ magazine: “I’ve nearly walked off very big films before, and I would, because I don’t want that in my life. I want to enjoy the work I do.”

Arterton said that now she is established, she wants to work with people who respect her.

She said: “I’m looking at working with people I get on with, that respect me, that don’t just see me as a piece of a*s. Which I have experienced as well.”

The Rada-trained actress is currently in talks to star as Nicola Six in Michael Winterbottom’s big-screen adaptation of the Martin Amis novel 'London Fields'.

She has also been mooted for 'All Apologies', the film about the pre-fame Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, as well as a biopic of Marianne Faithfull.

Arterton, who began her career with roles in 'Tess Of The D’Urbervilles' and 'Lost In Austen', told the magazine: “I feel so lucky. I always thought I’d be in period dramas playing downtrodden girls in love.

“I read so many scripts and they’re all the same. Either the character is just someone to be in the background or they’re there to help the man, to be the love interest, like I’ve done in 'Prince Of Persia' or 'Clash Of The Titans'.

“What I want to do is find characters who are the focus, like Nicola Six; sexy and real women, not perfect, not pin-ups.”

Arterton is currently on the big screen as the title character in comedy of manners Tamara Drewe, adapted from the Posy Simmonds cartoon strip.

The star said she had just returned from Paris, where the film has opened after being a hit at the Cannes Film Festival.