Actor Brian Cox, who plays the Roy family’s aloof patriarch on the HBO series Succession, is reinforcing his stance on co-star Jeremy Strong’s method acting.
In a new interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the 76-year-old Scot poked fun at his “tough” words about Strong’s approach to acting, which he described as “fucking annoying” in a previous interview.
Cox told Fallon he wanted to apologize and “set the record straight,” and previewed a parody masterclass where he teaches acting, with tip number one seemingly aimed squarely at his on-screen son.
“Make it damn easy. Say the damn lines and don’t bump into the damn furniture,” says Cox as his top tip for aspiring actors.
The Parody MasterClass is the latest blow against Strong, 44, whose method acting made headlines, leading Cox to say, “Don’t make me do it.”
Actor Brian Cox, who plays the Roy family’s aloof patriarch on the HBO series Succession, is stepping up his stance on co-star Jeremy Strong’s Method acting
In a new interview, the 76-year-old Scot poked fun at his “tough” words about Strong’s approach to acting, which he described as “fucking annoying” in a previous interview
Cox appeared on the late night television show to promote the upcoming final season of “Succession” which airs Sunday March 26th.
In their nearly 10-minute discussion, Fallon and Cox discuss everything from their long careers to their favorite pastimes before the conversation turns to Strong.
“Some of your opinions on method acting have actually gone viral,” Fallon says.
“Well, you know, Jimmy, I was a little brusque,” says Cox, before being briefly interrupted by the audience’s laughter.
“No, no, I have, be careful,” he says, addressing the onlookers, who are still giggling.
“I was a little harsh and I’m sorry for that. In fact, I was trying to set the record straight on a MasterClass acting series I just did,” says Cox.
“I didn’t know you did a master class,” Fallon replies.
‘No it is. Actually, I brought a clip if you want to see it. And I think that better explains my feelings about acting,” he says.
The parody video begins with Cox addressing the audience himself and saying, “Hi, I’m Brian Cox and this is my master class in the craft of acting.”
A quick cut then shows Cox executing his rant and telling the audience to just do it, before the camera cuts back to Fallon jokingly wiping away tears.
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” jokes Fallon.
The parody is the latest dig in Cox’s history of simplifying his craft. While Strong’s name didn’t come up directly during his interview with Fallon, he appears to be addressing recent media coverage of the co-star.
“Well, you know, Jimmy, I was being a little harsh,” says Cox, before being briefly interrupted by the audience’s laughter as he addresses his comments on Strong’s Method acting
“I was a little harsh and I’m sorry for that. In fact, I was trying to set the record straight on a MasterClass acting series I just did,” says Cox
The parody video begins with Cox addressing the audience himself and saying, “Hi, I’m Brian Cox and this is my master class in the craft of acting.”
The parody is the latest dig in Cox’s history of simplifying his craft. While Strong’s name didn’t come up directly during his interview with Fallon, he appears to be addressing recent media coverage of the co-star
“He’s a very good actor. And the rest of the ensemble agrees. But knowing a character and knowing what the character does is only part of the skill set,” Cox said in February
In a Town & Country interview last month, Cox said Strong – who plays the abandoned and rebellious Kendall Roy in “Succession” – is a “very good actor” but that being with someone can get old fast. who always keeps his character.
“He’s a very good actor. And the rest of the ensemble agrees. But knowing a character and knowing what they’re doing is just part of the skill set,” Cox said.
Strong, a Yale graduate, made big headlines in 2021 when an article in The New Yorker detailed the extent of his method acting in a now-viral interview.
At the time, the play’s writer spoke to Cox, who discussed Strong’s “intense” style.
“I’ve worked with intense actors before. I think it’s a particularly American disease, this inability to differentiate yourself while you’re doing the work,” Cox said in 2021.
In this article, Strong and Cox’s other co-stars, including Kieran Culkin, spoke about his methods and their experiences with him on set.
“After the first season, him [Strong] said something to me like, “I’m worried that people might think the show is a comedy.” And I said, “I think the show is a comedy,” said Culkin — who plays another Roy son. “He thought I was joking.”
Series executive producer Adam McKay said that the intensity Strong brings to the role is one of the reasons he embodies the character of Kendall.
“That’s exactly why we cast Jeremy in this role,” McKay told New Yorker magazine. “Because he doesn’t play it like a comedy. He plays it as if he were Hamlet.’
In the same interview, Cox agreed, saying, “The result that Jeremy gets is always pretty impressive. I’m just worried about what he’s doing to himself. I worry about the crises he faces to prepare himself.’
In a more recent interview, Cox doubled down on his 2021 statement, expressing concern that Strong will be “tired” if he doesn’t part with the job.
“He’s obsessed with work,” Cox told late-night host Seth Myers.
“And I worry about what it’s doing to him, because if you can’t break up – because you’re dealing with all that stuff every day. You can’t live in it. Eventually you get exhausted,” the Scottish actor continued.
Cox (center) plays patriarch Logan Roy, father of Shiv Roy, played by Sarah Snook (far left), Connor Roy played by Alan Ruck (second left), Kendall Roy played by Jeremy Strong (second right) and Roman Roy played by Kieran Culkin (far right)
During its run, the show has been nominated for 48 Emmy Awards and has won more than a dozen
“Jesse won’t let anything go any further than is necessary,” Cox said of the show’s creator, Jesse Armstrong. “A lot of shows stay longer than welcome and I think our show is perfect and neat the way it is.”
Despite arguments over acting style, there doesn’t seem to be any bad blood between the co-stars, who were pictured together at the show’s fourth season premiere just this week.
Additionally, Strong has responded to Cox’s statements, saying the older actor has earned the right to mock certain courses of action.
“Everyone has the right to have their feelings. I also think Brian Cox, for example, has earned the right to say whatever he wants,” Strong said. “There was no need to address it or do damage control.”
Cox wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on ending the hugely successful show after 48 Emmy nominations, and almost certainly after its fourth season, either.
The actor said he respects series creator Jesse Armstrong for choosing to quit the show.
“Jesse won’t let anything go any further than is necessary,” Cox said. “Many shows outlive reception and I think our show is perfect and neat just the way it is.”
‘In the right sense. I’m glad it’s over,” Cox said.