Colin Farrell has revealed that his role in Miss Julie is one of the toughest of his career.

The Irish actor stars as footman Jean, who has a dark affair with a Count's daughter Julie (Jessica Chastain), in Liv Ullman's adaptation of August Strindberg's play, which explores aspects such as class and power.

"It's tough, as tough as this job can be. It was the toughest time I have had in 15 years by a mile," he admitted. "It was hard, it was brutal.

"The behaviour and the sustained cruelty and trauma are just brutal. It was cool, it was interesting but it was tough. I was glad to be done with it, like a few others. It was very challenging but it will be interesting to see what it becomes."

Filming on Miss Julie took place in Castle Coole in County Fermanagh. Samantha Morton stars alongside Colin and Jessica as cook Christine, who is engaged to Jean.

"We shot it in five weeks with the magic Liv Ullman, Jessica Chastain and Sam Morton," he continued.

Having played a variety of different roles, Colin, who plays Travers Goff in Saving Mr Banks, said he would like to star in a comedy.

"I'd like to do a comedy. Saving Mr Banks was really weepy so I'd like to see the audience laugh," he said.

Asked if he has a dream role in mind, he added: "No, not really. I just read things and respond to it. It's great when you respond to a story rather than just a character."

:: Saving Mr Banks is in cinemas now.