Michael Fassbender was hoping he’d win an Oscar this year.

The actor played a sex addict in the movie Shame, which was directed by Steve McQueen. His portrayal of Brandon Sullivan was lauded by critics and many were shocked when he didn’t receive a best actor Academy Award nomination.

Michael admits the success of the picture did make him wonder if he would receive the prestigious prize.

“Yes, I admit: I hoped to win the Oscar [for Shame]. At the beginning I didn’t think about that possibility, but then, with all the people talking about it, I had some expectations,” he told Vanity Fair Italy.

Michael has nude scenes in the film and has previously admitted he was worried about his parents watching it. When his mother did sit down to view the movie, her reaction surprised him.

“My mother saw Shame and told me that it was hard for her to [watch] all that pain,” he explained. “And I understand her because I saw the film for the first time in Venice [at the Italian film festival] and think I need to take some time to watch it again.”