Brian Cox Says Jeremy Strong’s Method Acting Brought “Hostility” To ‘Succession’ Set: “Not Good For The Ensemble”

Brian Cox has not held back in expressing his disapproval of Jeremy Strong’s method acting techniques on set, going as far as to label it as “fucking annoying” in the past. However, despite his criticisms, Cox also took a moment to acknowledge the talent of his former Succession co-star.

“He was wonderful to act with. I had no argument with Jeremy’s acting,” Cox told The Guardian in a recent interview. “He would be an even better actor if he just got rid of that so there would be much more inclusiveness in what he did.”

The That Christmas star seemed to be speaking from experience as he suggested that method acting can be an annoyance on set.

“It’s not good for the ensemble. It creates hostility. That’s the problem,” he said. He added that he did not get the chance to discuss it with Strong when they were co-stars on the hit HBO series from 2018 to 2023, saying it can be “a very emotive subject for people who follow the Strasberg line,” referring to the influential director and actor Lee Strasberg, who is widely regarded as the figure who popularized method acting.

Cox has previously said the debate over method acting is really a “cultural clash,” calling it “that American shit” in an interview in 2023.

In fact, Cox appeared to blame Daniel Day Lewis with getting Strong stuck on method acting early on in his career. “Of course, Jeremy was Dan Day-Lewis’ assistant. So he’s learned all that stuff from Dan,” Cox told Variety at the time.

Succession Brian Cox Jeremy Strong
Photo: NBC

Despite his relentless criticism of the actor who, ironically, played the son vying most for his approval and position at the company, Cox has never denigrated Strong’s overall acting skills, calling him “talented” and “gifted” in interviews.

But Cox has pointed out that Strong was known for staying in character as Kendall Roy, even in between scenes. The actor recalled one point during filming when Strong stayed in character after filming a particularly emotional scene with Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin, who played his on-screen siblings, as he confessed to his part in the car crash that led to a waiter’s death.

“He’s still that guy, because he feels if he went somewhere else he’d lose it. But he won’t! Strong is talented. He’s fucking gifted,” Cox told Town & Country in 2023. “When you’ve got the gift, celebrate the gift. Go back to your trailer and have a hit of marijuana, you know?”

Strong has since said that he does not miss playing such a reactionary character. But he did respect Cox’s opinion on the matter.

“Everyone’s entitled to have their feelings,” Strong said in a 2023 interview with GQ. “I also think Brian Cox, for example, he’s earned the right to say whatever the fuck he wants.”

He added, “I feel a lot of love for my siblings and my father on the show. And it is like a family in the sense that — and I’m sure they would say this, too — you don’t always like the people that you love. I do always respect them.”

(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&appId=823934954307605&version=v2.8”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni is 'tip of the iceberg' as actress plans to take further action

Blake Lively plans to take additional legal steps after filing a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, indicating more legal actions are on the way.

According to sources, Blake Lively is gearing up to pursue additional legal…
Meghan Markle's foolproof New Year's Eve styling tips unearthed in blog post

Blog post reveals Meghan Markle’s fail-safe New Year’s Eve fashion advice

Meghan Markle has some unique styling tips for New Year’s Eve – and…
Does Hanukkah start tonight? In a calendar rarity, the Jewish holiday starts on Christmas Day 2024

Is Hanukkah Beginning Tonight? In a Rare Occurrence, the Jewish Festival Coincides with Christmas Day in 2024

Hanukkah, Judaism’s eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on Christmas Day,…
Back to the Future for the GOP – A Return to the Whig Rallies

GOP Looking to the Past: Bringing Back Whig Rallies

However, these political assemblies are not a new phenomenon in American politics.…
Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash: 40 feared dead in crash near Kazakhstan's Aktau Airport close to Caspian Sea on Christmas Day

Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash: 40 people feared dead in accident near Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport by the Caspian Sea on Christmas Day

LONDON — An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft crashed near Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport…
Bryan Kohberger investigated for terrifying home invasion months before campus quadruple murders

Bryan Kohberger under investigation for a frightening break-in before a tragic incident on campus

Idaho quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was once investigated in connection to a terrifying…
White House Christmas decorations 2024: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden takes ABC7 on tour of 'Season of Peace and Light' display

Guided Tour of White House Christmas Decorations 2024 by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden featuring ‘Season of Peace and Light’ Exhibit through ABC7

WASHINGTON (WLS) — Guided by a giant gold star, visitors cross the…
Donald Trump vows to pursue executions after Joe Biden commutes most of federal death row

Donald Trump promises to continue seeking executions despite Joe Biden’s decision to commute the majority of federal death row sentences

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously…
Inside the eerie hotel cashing in on one of America's most gruesome crimes

Exploring the spooky hotel profiting from a notorious American crime

Nestled in a stunning Massachusetts city is an eerie hotel with a…
Is ‘Abbott Elementary’ On Tonight? Here’s When ‘Abbott Elementary’ Returns With New Episodes On ABC

When is the next new episode of ‘Abbott Elementary’ on ABC? Find out here!

People are eagerly waiting for the return of the popular show Abbott…
Centuries-old angels uncovered beneath layers of paint at Boston church made famous by Paul Revere

Discovery of Ancient Angels Revealed at Historic Boston Church Linked to Paul Revere

Mural conservators are working to uncover 20 angels hidden under layers of…
Satisfying punishment for University of Oregon worker who told Trump voters to kill themselves

Appropriate consequences for University of Oregon staffer who instructed Trump supporters to harm themselves

A University of Oregon staffer who told Trump voters to kill themselves…