Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox's Comments on Method Acting
Daniel Day-Lewis has addressed Brian Cox's remarks linking him to the ongoing debate about Method acting, particularly relating to Jeremy Strong. Cox has criticized Method acting in recent years, often pointing to his "Succession" co-star Jeremy Strong as an example, describing the style as "annoying."
Brian Cox's Critique and Speculation
Cox once suggested that Day-Lewis had to step away from acting at 55 due to burnout caused by Method acting, claiming that Day-Lewis "couldn’t go on doing that every day."
“Listen, I worked with Brian Cox once and got somehow drawn into this handbags-at-dawn conflict inadvertently,” Day-Lewis told the U.K.’s Big Issue (via The Telegraph). “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.”
Denial of Influence on Jeremy Strong
In an interview with Variety, Cox linked Strong’s Method acting style to Day-Lewis, suggesting Strong learned the approach while assisting Day-Lewis. However, Day-Lewis refutes this claim:
“If I thought during our work together I’d interfered with his working process, I’d be appalled,” Day-Lewis said. “But I don’t think it was like that. So I don’t know where the fuck that came from.”
Summary
Day-Lewis rejects the notion that he influenced Jeremy Strong's acting methods and expresses frustration about being drawn into Brian Cox’s public criticism of Method acting.
Author's summary: Daniel Day-Lewis denies influencing Jeremy Strong’s Method acting and criticizes Brian Cox for dragging him into an unwelcome debate about acting styles.