The 87-year-old told Good Morning Britain that theater work is “too tough a challenge for me” and said he won’t try it again.

Freeman last appeared on stage as David Boles in Dustin Lance Black play 8, about the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial that led to the overturning of an amendment banning same-sex marriage in California.

Speaking about his experiences on stage, Freeman said: “I’ve been to plays in the West End, and that was when I was stage conscious.

“Now I am not stage conscious because the stage is too tough a challenge for me.

“The last time I remember being on stage I forgot my lines, and I can’t tell you how terrifying that is.

“You don’t get that in the movies, if you forget your lines, you just say: okay, what was that line again? And someone gives it to you. Or you say cut, someone says cut, I will never do that.

“You can’t do that on stage, and I’m terrified to go back and try it.”

Freeman also talked about his enjoyment of working on the latest series of Paramount+ spy thriller Special Ops: Lioness.

“I certainly enjoy working, having a stroke of luck, so to speak, being able to continue as I am and play this role,” he said.

“But this cast is one of the highlights of life, I’m happy with myself to say the least.”

During his career, Freeman won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby, and is also known for roles in Shawshank Redemption (1995), Driving Miss Daisy (1990) and Invictus (2009).