Daniel Day-Lewis Says Brian Cox Dragged Him Into Method Actor Debate, Denies Claim That He Taught Jeremy Strong: ‘I Don’t Feel Responsible in Any Way’ for How Strong Acts on Set

Daniel Day-Lewis Responds to Brian Cox’s Comments on Method Acting

Daniel Day-Lewis has denied Brian Cox's assertion that Jeremy Strong is an "annoying" Method actor because of Day-Lewis's influence. Day-Lewis recently shared with the U.K.’s Big Issue that Cox drew him into an unwanted debate about Method acting.

Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting

Brian Cox has publicly criticized Method acting in several interviews, often mentioning his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong as a key example. Cox has described Strong’s approach as “fucking annoying” and speculated that Day-Lewis had to retire at 55 due to burnout from being a Method actor, saying Day-Lewis “couldn’t go on doing that every day.”

Day-Lewis’s Reaction to the Debate

Speaking to Big Issue, Day-Lewis commented on being involuntarily pulled into the dispute:

“Listen, I worked with Brian Cox once and got somehow drawn into this handbags-at-dawn conflict inadvertently. 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 an interview with Variety, Cox linked Strong's Method acting to Day-Lewis, suggesting that Strong learned his style while serving as Day-Lewis’s assistant. However, Day-Lewis firmly rejects this idea.

“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 fuck that came from.”
Summary

Daniel Day-Lewis firmly denies any responsibility for Jeremy Strong’s Method acting style and expresses frustration over being unintentionally dragged into public criticism by Brian Cox.

Author’s summary: Daniel Day-Lewis refutes Brian Cox’s claims linking him to Jeremy Strong’s controversial Method acting and rejects responsibility for Strong’s approach.

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Variety Variety — 2025-11-04

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