Simon Pegg on comedy's 'dark territory'

Simon Pegg thinks his comedic performances often veer into “dark territory”.

The 44-year-old British actor first became famous for starring in comedies like Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, but more recently he’s taken on roles in Star Trek franchise films and forthcoming action thriller Kill Me Three Times.

Simon laments being relegated to the role of comedian by some critics because he believes his acting ability extends beyond the humour space.

“I often see myself referred to as a comic, and I haven’t been a comic for 15 years,” he told MTV News. “And I don’t just do comedic acting, even our comedies tend to drift towards dark territory.”

Simon star as the titular psychiatrist in new movie Hector and the Search for Happiness, which sees Hector touring the world as he tries to find the secret to pleasure.

The character exhibits a range of emotions in the picture and Simon feels elated he was able to perform such an emotive role.

“That’s what Hector’s all about. If you want to have happiness, you have to have the whole deal, you have to have unhappiness, you have to have fear, you have to have loss,” he explained.

“As an actor, to get to play the full spectrum, as I got to in this film, is great, it’s a bit of a gift, because you get to flex different muscles.”

Hector and the Search for Happiness, which also stars Rosamund Pike, is released to US theatres this weekend.