Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting
Daniel Day-Lewis has addressed Brian Cox's recent critique of method acting, an issue unexpectedly involving him. The three-time Oscar winner expressed surprise at Cox's remarks and defended his own approach to acting.
Day-Lewis on His Experience with Brian Cox
“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 also denied interfering with Cox's working process during their collaboration and expressed confusion over the criticism.
“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 the f–k that came from.”
Comments on Jeremy Strong
Regarding Jeremy Strong, who is known for his method acting on the HBO series Succession, Day-Lewis clarified his stance.
“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.”
Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting
Brian Cox initially criticized method acting in 2021 while discussing Strong’s portrayal of Kendall Roy. Cox described method acting as a distinctly “American disease” and suggested Strong’s performance was influenced by Day-Lewis’ style.
“He’s a very good actor,” Cox said in 2023, “And the rest of the ensemble is all OK with this.”
Despite the tension, both actors acknowledge each other's talent while maintaining differing views on method acting.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?