Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox's Method Acting Criticism
Daniel Day-Lewis addressed comments made by Brian Cox after being unintentionally pulled into the “Succession” star’s critique of method acting. Speaking to Big Issue, the three-time Oscar winner said he was surprised by Cox’s remarks.
“Listen, I worked with Brian Cox once and got somehow drawn into this handbags-at-dawn conflict inadvertently,” Day-Lewis said. “Brian is a very fine actor who’s done extraordinary work. As a result, he’s been given a soapbox… which he shows no sign of climbing down from. Any time he wants to talk about it, I’m easy to find.”
Day-Lewis continued that he never intended to disrupt Cox’s process during their collaboration:
“If I thought during our work together I’d interfered with his working process, I’d be appalled. But I don’t think it was like that. So I don’t know where that came from. Jeremy Strong is a very fine actor, I don’t know how he goes about things, but I don’t feel responsible in any way for that.”
Background of the Dispute
Brian Cox began voicing his criticism of method acting in 2021, referencing his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong’s intense approach to portraying Kendall Roy on the HBO series. He linked Strong’s style to Day-Lewis’s well-known commitment to the craft, calling it a distinctly “American disease.” Cox reinforced these views in later interviews.
“He’s a very good actor,” Cox told the magazine. “And the rest of the ensemble is all OK with this.”
Summary
Day-Lewis calmly dismissed Cox’s remarks, defending his artistic approach while acknowledging respect for Cox and other actors’ creative methods.
Author’s Summary: Daniel Day-Lewis respectfully rebuffed Brian Cox’s critique of method acting, emphasizing mutual respect and downplaying any conflict between them.