Steve Coogan says he was looking to do something more than comedy and that was what drew him to the story of Philomena Lee.
Philomena sees Coogan team up with Judi Dench to tell the story of a woman who gave her son up for adoption when she fell pregnant in the fifties.
As well as starring in the film Coogan also penned the screenplay, which was based on the novel The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith.
Speaking to The London Evening Standard the actor said: "You get strait-jacketed. I love doing comedy but I've done it. You get hungry for something more.
"This [project] touched me and spoke to me, with regards to my own background as a Catholic. And I thought the story was very universal."
The movie sees Stephen Frears back in the director's chair as the movie was premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
The film has been met with great reviews - with some even tipping Dench as a possible Oscar contender.
Philomena will get its UK premiere in October as part of the BFI London Film Festival.
Philomena is released 1st November.
Tagged in Steve Coogan Philomena