Jamie Dornan has praised Northern Ireland and his hometown of Holywood in a new interview.
Speaking on The Path Here Podcast with Scott Savlov, the 40-year-old explained how in the Co Down town, 'it's all about Rory McIlroy'.
Jamie also added how Northern Ireland is a great place to grow up and how Iocal people have a desire to please others.
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The father-of-three said: "It's strange to have ended up working in Hollywood, being from a place called Holywood.
"It is famous because Rory McIlroy is from Holywood, so like if you are going into Holywood now, it has, it has done for like 12 years or so, it has signs on the way into the town saying 'Welcome to Holywood, home of Rory McIlroy'.
"It's his town... they've long forgotten about me. It's all about Rory.
"Friendly people, real community vibe, it's six miles outside of Belfast. The whole of Northern Ireland, Ireland really, there is an openness and there is sort of a desire to please people and welcome people.
"Particularly now, when I was growing up, people didn't want to visit the north of Ireland for obvious reasons and luckily that has changed. It has changed probably more so since I left."
The Fifty Shades described Belfast as a "brilliant cosmopolitan city" and explained how he had a great childhood in NI.
He explained: "I left 20 years this August... I've been away a long time and now Belfast itself is a brilliant cosmopolitan city, it's got three Michelin star restaurants, maybe even 4 now, they shoot loads of stuff there, Game of Thrones, Derry Girls and The Fall, all of this stuff.
"Holywood has its own energy outside Belfast...
"I'd a very happy childhood and a very middleclass childhood and was wanting for nothing but there is a reason why stuff films there now. It's a great place to grow up for this reason too, whether you want the beach, the mountains, the forest, a city centre or whatever, it's all within half an hour."
In the interview, the Northern Irish actor also spoke about his father Jim Dornan who died in March 2021 aged 73.
He was a well-known obstetrician and gynecologist and had contracted Covid-19.
Jamie said: "So many times people come up to me in bars and restaurants or whatever when I'm at home, particularly as I've become recognised or whatever and I'm like, 'Oh they probably like me in this job, or this', and all they want to say is 'Your dad delivered me'...
"He had that kind of name. He was very beloved at home..."
"I lost my dad just over a year ago and prominent figures from both side of the religious divide came forward and had very lovely things to say about my dad because of the position he held and where he held it for so long.
"So dad was a very impressive doctor."
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