Before he was James Bond, Daniel Craig had a role as an assassin priest in which historical drama?

"Elizabeth" is a 1998 British biographical period drama that was directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Michael Hirst. It stars Cate Blanchett in the title role of Elizabeth I of England, with Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, John Gielgud, and Richard Attenborough in supporting roles. Daniel Craig is also featured in the film; he plays John Ballard, an English priest who is executed for being involved in an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I in the Babington Plot.

The film is based on the early years of Elizabeth's reign, where she is elevated to the throne after the death of her half-sister Mary I, who had imprisoned her. As she establishes herself on the throne, she faces plots and threats to take her down.

"Elizabeth" was a big theatrical and commercial success. It received 12 nominations at the 52nd British Academy Film Awards, winning 5 awards, including Outstanding British Film, and Best Actress (Blanchett). At the 71st Academy Awards, it received 7 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress (Blanchett), winning Best Makeup.

In 2007, Blanchett and Rush reprised their roles in Kapur's follow-up film "Elizabeth: The Golden Age", which covers the later part of Elizabeth's reign