Priyanka Chopra on being a ‘female James Bond’: ‘Why not?’

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who stars in the new spy thriller “Citadel” (Prime Video), said she was on board for the project from the get-go.

“When I met [executive producers Joe and Anthony Russo], they explained to me what this character was, they wanted to create a female spy that’s like James Bond. I was like, ‘Why would I not do that?’ Of course, I want to do that!” Chopra Jonas, 40, told The Post. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas (who married Nick Jonas, 30, in 2018) is no stranger to TV viewers after crossing over from Bollywood to Hollywood to star in the ABC series “Quantico” and movies including “The Matrix Resurrections.”

 She said that “Citadel’s” status as an international show was especially appealing to her. 

“Jennifer Salke [head of Amazon Studios] and I were in a meeting and she talked to me about wanting to create this global show that actually connects multiple countries and multiple filmmakers and storytelling, with different cultures in one show,” she said “I was like, ‘Wow, no one has ever attempted that in TV or film, ever.’” 

“Citadel,” premiering April 28, has already been renewed for a second season and Prime Video is planning spinoff series in other countries and languages following various spies.  

The “Citadel” storyline follows an independent global spy agency (Citadel) where agents aren’t aligned to any particular country, but rather have the goal of upholding the safety of everyone across the globe.

When the agency was taken down by its enemies eight years ago, two of its star agents — Mason Kane (Richard Madden, “Game of Thrones”) and Nadia Sinh (Chopra Jonas) — narrowly escaped with their lives.

They had their memories wiped and have been living new lives under new identities ever since, unaware of their pasts as international spies. 

“I didn’t find myself relating to Nadia, because I was really trying hard to separate her from me and disappear in my character. I don’t like to play myself — I know myself too well,” said Chopra Jonas. 

“But the one thing I did find relatable about Nadia was her need to figure things out. I can’t leave something open-ended; I need to get to the bottom of it, and get to the solution. She’s like that, too. There are very few female spies that we’ve seen portrayed in entertainment.

“Nadia’s physicality was [inspired by] women I have admired in action, like Angelina [Jolie] and Charlize [Theron]. They’re just so good at bringing the smart sexy tough thing,” she said. “They’re definitely an inspiration for me, but I wanted to walk in with a clean slate. I really leaned on Joe and Anthony [Russo] and [show creator David Weil] to help me create Nadia, so that she’s different from everyone that’s come before. She’s vulnerable and tough at the same time.” 

When former Citadel colleague Bernard (Stanley Tucci) finds Mason, he and Nadia reunite and seek to take down their enemies. 

“They’re such accomplished actors, both of them,” said Chopra Jonas. “Stanley is like a masterclass. You’re watching him go become his character, and it’s effortless. Richard [Madden] is a very prepared actor, and so am I. I put a lot of work into the characters that I play. He’d do the same thing we’d both have tabs and highlights on our scripts.

“I really enjoyed working with him, because we could depend on each other.”