Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox’s Comments on Method Acting
Daniel Day-Lewis has denied Brian Cox's assertion that Jeremy Strong's reputation as an "annoying" Method actor stems from Day-Lewis himself. In a recent interview with the U.K.’s Big Issue, Day-Lewis explained that Cox has dragged him into an unwanted debate over Method acting.
Brian Cox’s Criticism of Method Acting
Brian Cox has expressed his dislike for Method acting in multiple interviews, frequently highlighting his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong as an irritating example. Cox suggested that Day-Lewis’s break from acting at age 55 was due to burnout from Method acting, saying Day-Lewis “couldn’t go on doing that every day.”
Day-Lewis on Being Drawn Into the Debate
“Listen, I worked with Brian Cox once and got somehow drawn into this handbags-at-dawn conflict inadvertently,” Day-Lewis told Big Issue. “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.”
The Alleged Connection Between Day-Lewis and Strong
In a Variety interview, Cox hinted that Jeremy Strong’s Method acting style might be influenced by Day-Lewis, as Strong had been Day-Lewis’s assistant. However, Day-Lewis strongly refutes this idea.
“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
Daniel Day-Lewis rejects Brian Cox’s claims linking him to Jeremy Strong’s Method acting style and emphasizes he does not feel responsible for Strong's approach on set.