Daniel Day-Lewis Claps Back at Brian Cox's Criticism of His Method Acting: 'I Don't Know Where the F--k That Came From'

Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting

Daniel Day-Lewis addressed Brian Cox's vocal criticism of method acting, after being “inadvertently” pulled into the debate surrounding the "Succession" star's comments. The three-time Oscar winner expressed surprise at Cox’s strong opinions.

“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 addressed concerns about interference with Cox's process and clarified his stance on Jeremy Strong, another actor known for method acting.

“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. 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

Cox first criticized method acting in 2021 while discussing his co-star Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Kendall Roy on HBO’s Succession. He described Strong’s method as influenced by Day-Lewis’s approach, calling it a distinctly “American disease.”

“He’s a very good actor,” Cox said in 2023, “And the rest of the ensemble is all OK with this.”

Summary

Daniel Day-Lewis respectfully rejects Brian Cox’s negative view of method acting, distancing himself from Cox's criticisms about Jeremy Strong and emphasizing his respect for both actors' work.

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TheWrap TheWrap — 2025-11-04

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