James McAvoy nearly became a priest before girls changed his mind

James McAvoy says missionary work once appealed to him because it could take him around the world

James McAvoy has revealed that acting was not always his first career ambition, recalling how seriously he once considered becoming a Catholic priest while growing up in Glasgow.

Speaking to IndieWire during the Toronto International Film Festival, the 47 year old actor said he was drawn to the priesthood as a child because he wanted to travel. He believed missionary work could take him to places he might otherwise never see, making the religious path particularly appealing to him.

McAvoy said his plans changed when he reached 13 and began thinking about girls. He also admitted that he had not fully understood the implications of celibacy when he was younger. His teenage awakening ultimately pushed the priesthood out of his plans, leaving him to pursue the acting career that would eventually make him internationally known.

The revelation comes as McAvoy promotes Faith, a supernatural drama centred on grief, spirituality and belief. Written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams, the film stars McAvoy alongside Erin Doherty, who plays a grieving single mother whose life becomes connected to McAvoy’s mysterious character. Faith had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11.

McAvoy has also explained that his relationship with religion has changed considerably. He now describes himself as not religious and not particularly spiritual, although he sees parallels between his devotion to acting and the way spirituality can shape a person’s life. He has also reflected on the Catholic guilt associated with his upbringing and acknowledged that some of its effects have remained with him.

His childhood plans give Faith an interesting personal connection, even though McAvoy is not approaching the subject from a place of religious belief.

Following its TIFF premiere, Faith does not yet have a confirmed wider release date. McAvoy also has Meantime and Control among his upcoming projects, while his directorial debut California Schemin’ is scheduled for UK cinemas on October 9.