Scottish and multiple award-winning actor Brian Cox CBE starred as Logan Roy on the HBO series, which aired from 2018-2023, and bagged a Golden Globe Award as the Best Actor in a Drama Series for his part.
While the actor claims his criticism is because of his ‘loudmouth’, he has once again spoken out about his fellow co-star, Jeremy Strong, who plays Kendall Roy in the hit New York-based show, in a new interview with The Guardian.
Cox said his on-screen son could’ve been ‘an even better actor’, if only he abandoned his fervent approach.
The actor believes the ‘Lee Strasberg’ style of acting, known as method acting where actors ‘transform’ into their characters by taking on the role even offstage and off-camera, can be pointless and taxing for fellow cast members.
Brian Cox hasn’t been shy with his criticism over the years (Borja B. Hojas/WireImage)
And it is here where he found Strong’s technique ‘f**king annoying’ and hinted it was difficult to work with.
The Shakespearean actor said Strong was ‘wonderful to act with’ and ‘had no argument with Jeremy’s acting’.
However, he added: “He would’ve been an even better actor if he just got rid of that so there would be much more inclusiveness in what he did.”
When asked why it’s tough to work with a cast member who is ‘permanently in character’, Cox replied: “Well, it’s not good for the ensemble.
“It creates hostility. That’s the problem.”
Strong on the set of Succession in New York (MEGA / GC Images)
Cox admitted he didn’t talk to Strong in the way he would’ve liked to because ‘it’s a very emotive subject for people who follow the Strasberg line’ but said it would’ve been helpful for the rest of the cast if Strong had been more relaxed.
Last year, Cox also told The Hollywood Reporter: “The thing about Jeremy’s approach is it works in terms of what comes out the other end.
“My problem — and, it’s not a problem, I don’t have a problem with Jeremy because he’s delightful […] But, he does get obsessed with the work. And I worry about what it does to him, because if you can’t separate yourself — because you’re dealing with all of this material every day.
“You can’t live in it. Eventually, you get worn out.”
Jeremy Strong (pictured on the right of Cox) has defended his acting style (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)
As for his part, Strong defended his methodology and said he took his character ‘as seriously as I take my own life’.
Expressing some dismay about Cox’s criticism, he said: “I had a safe forum to share those things — and ultimately that experience was put in doubt.
“We’re a family in every sense of the word. But foundationally, there’s deep respect and even love.”
