Narcos star Wagner Moura does not want to be on social media

Wagner explained to journalist Hugo Gloss: "When this social media first came along, I wasn't interested in it - I didn't understand what it would become. I don't think anyone did at the time.

"And at first, it just looked like people promoting themselves. My impression was that it seemed like a self-edited magazine, and I had no interest in that whatsoever."

The star now understands that social media channels can serve other purposes, but he still chooses to shun them because of "the attacks" that often happen in those spaces.

He said: "Later on, I realised that social media had other layers and other aspects. You have a platform where you can say what you want - without any middlemen.

"And for a while, I thought, 'Well, maybe?' But I just don't have a knack for that.

"I think I am also protecting myself - from all the madness, from vanity. From politics, from the attacks. I already get enough backlash for the way I express my political views.

"Can you imagine if I stopped to read what people say about me? So I think I'm protecting myself and I'm very happy this way."

When asked if he might ever change his mind, Wagner insisted: "Never. I'm 49. Can you imagine me joining social media now? Some things just don't make sense anymore."

The Secret Agent actor admitted it is a shame that social media has become almost essential for young actors trying to break into the industry.

He said: "I get that these days it has become important for up-and-coming actors - they're expected to have it to even be considered for roles.

"And I think that's really unfortunate. Because it stopped being about the value that artists bring and turned into a matter of online presence.

"That's not what this job is supposed to be about."