Simon Pegg has opened up about his longtime friendship with Tom Cruise.

British actor, 53 years old, joined the Mission Impossibility series in the third season that premiered in 2006.

Since then, he’s starred in three more Mission Impossible movies alongside 60-year-old Cruise, with a follow-up film – Mission Impossible – Deadly Calculation Part One – out July 12.

In the latest edition of BBC Radio 4’s desert island diskPegg told host Lauren Laverne that he avoids talking to Cruise about his controversial faith in the Church of Scientology.

“I didn’t ask him about things like that because I felt like I was abusing the privileged access I had with him, you know what I mean?” Pegg explained.

Cruise is the most famous follower of Scientology. The religion and its leader David Miscavige have been accused of defrauding supporters, separating members from their loved ones, and harassing and intimidating journalists and critics.

Pegg added that his relationship with Cruise “was very simple and amicable. We are friends.”

“It was always a very easy relationship. I think you realize, when you meet a person and not the myths built around them, it’s a different experience,” he said.

“I mean, he loves fame and he really likes it, that’s all he knows. It energizes him and drives him to keep going.

Pegg also said he “mocks” Cruise for his popularity and the “things he has access to”. He recalls: “We were filming recently in South Africa on this mountain and then he decided he wanted to swim with the sharks.

“He took us by helicopter to this coastal area and we dived with the sharks. At the end of the day, we say, ‘It was a real Tom Cruise day.’ He sometimes appreciates how ridiculous it is.

Elsewhere in the interview, Pegg reflected on hiding his alcohol addiction while starring in the film. Mission Impossible III.

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in theaters on July 12.