Actor Alan Cumming says there's a long way to go on adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples in the United States.

The 47-year-old Cumming is best know for playing Eli Gold on the CBS drama The Good Wife, for which he has been for nominated for two Emmy Awards.

The openly gay Scottish actor' new film, Any Day Now, opened in theaters on Friday.

Inspired by a true story from the late 70s, the film centers on Rudy (played by Cumming) and Paul (Garret Dillahunt), who find themselves locked in a protracted legal battle to adopt Marco (Isaac Leyva), a teenager with Down syndrome who was abandoned by his mother. (A trailer for the film is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.)

Appearing on MSNBC' The Last Word to pitch the movie, Cumming said that while it may not be illegal for gay couples to adopt in 18 states, the process remains less than ideal.

“And also, a lot of those states maybe it's not illegal but it's still very, very complicated, and, you know, if you meet the wrong judge or social worker on the line, you won't have any recourse.”

“There is a long way to go,” Cumming said.

“I mean that's the thing about doing this movie, actually, was, you know, we think 1979, when it's set, to now there's been a massive sea change in the way that gay people are regarded and treated but not really, as well, at the same time.”