The 40-year-old Spanish actress has topped Esquire magazine’s annual list of desirable famous females, taking the crown from her ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ co-star Scarlett Johansson.

In an accompanying interview with the publication, Penelope spoke of how her movie preferences have changed over the years, admitting she “couldn’t be less interested” in drama now, a huge shift from her early roles.

She said: “I’ve made it hard for me sometimes, especially in my teens and twenties.

I had an attraction to drama. Most of us have that, especially if you are an artist – you feel like you are tempted to explore the darkness. I could not be less interested now. For me, the most attractive, charming, cool, fun, interesting thing – how could I call it? A plan.”

While she spoke openly about her career, the brunette beauty was unwilling to talk about life with her husband Javier Bardem and their children Leonardo, three, and Luna, 14 months.

She said only: “That is for us”.

The ‘Grimsby’ actress is the 11th woman to be given the title by Esquire, with other previous recipients including Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, Halle Berry and Charlize Theron.