David Tennant has admitted he found filming domestic violence scenes for his new TV series uncomfortable.
He told TV Times about the menacing scenes he took part in for new BBC Two drama, The Politician's Husband.
Ex Doctor Who star David said of the sequence where he attacks his on-screen wife: "That was a hard scene to film, of course.
"But you just have to be very up front about what you're trying to achieve and how you go about it.
"I'm sure people will be shocked - it's an unpleasant moment. You wouldn't want anyone to watch that scene and feel comfortable."
David, 42, plays Westminster rising star Aiden Hoynes whose seemingly perfect marriage to fellow MP Freya Gardner (Emily Watson) is torn apart by the backstabbing world of politics.
Broadchurch actor David said there is no chance of him taking on a political role in real life: "I wouldn't be good enough to be an MP, you have to be over everything, all the time.
"You need to understand what went wrong with the banks, for example. Well, I can't make head nor tail of all that."
David is currently returning to his role as the 10th Doctor Who for the show's 50th anniversary special, now filming in Cardiff and due to screen in November.
The Politician's Wife is a three-part political thriller, beginning on BBC Two on Thursday April 23.
