Daniel Day-Lewis Addresses Method Acting Debate
Daniel Day-Lewis has denied Brian Cox’s claim that Jeremy Strong is an “annoying” Method actor influenced by Day-Lewis himself. Speaking to the U.K.’s Big Issue, Day-Lewis explained that Cox dragged him into an unwanted controversy surrounding Method acting.
Brian Cox’s Criticism of Method Acting
Over recent years, Brian Cox has openly criticized Method acting in interviews, frequently mentioning his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong as an example. Cox expressed frustration with Strong's intense approach, calling it “fucking annoying.” He also suggested that Day-Lewis left acting at 55 due to burnout from his Method acting style, stating 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 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.”
Disputing the Connection to Jeremy Strong
In a Variety interview, Cox suggested that Strong’s Method acting was learned from Day-Lewis, claiming, “Jeremy was Day-Lewis’ assistant. So he’s learned all that stuff from Dan.” However, Day-Lewis strongly refutes this notion.
“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 assertions linking him to Jeremy Strong’s acting style and distances himself from the ongoing criticism of Method acting.
Author’s note: Day-Lewis firmly denies influencing Strong’s acting and disputes being a part of the Method acting debate driven by Brian Cox’s criticisms.