Colm Meaney has described Martin McGuinness as "an extraordinary statesman" while promoting a new film in which he portrays Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister.
The Journey is a fictional drama based on the friendship between McGuiness and late First Minister Ian Paisley, who is portrayed by British actor Timothy Spall. The film received its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival at the weekend.
Speaking to the Press Association, Meaney said McGuinness had become "a real statesman", and that a united Ireland was "a laudable goal".
"I supported him in his candidacy for President of Ireland at the last election because I thought he was the most qualified person to do it.
"He's proved himself over the last 10 years to be a very astute politician and a remarkably competent statesman, which surprises a lot of people."
Ian Paisley's widow, Baroness Paisley, is reportedly boycotting The Journey, telling the Belfast News Letter: "I don't think it was written with great knowledge."
In Toronto, The Journey's director, Nick Hamm, said his film is not a documentary but "a fictionalised, entertaining feel-good movie about peace".
"We were not looking for either side to feel comfortable with the film," he explained. "Neither were we looking for either side to condemn the film. We were looking to present a balanced argument where both sides would be equally comfortable and equally uncomfortable."
