Daniel Day-Lewis Addresses Method Acting Debate
Daniel Day-Lewis has denied Brian Cox's suggestion that Jeremy Strong's "annoying" Method acting style is influenced by him. Day-Lewis revealed to the U.K.'s Big Issue that Cox is partly responsible for pulling him into the ongoing debate over Method acting.
Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting
Brian Cox, known for his role in Succession, has criticized Method acting in several interviews, often pointing to his co-star Jeremy Strong as a prime example of why he finds the approach frustrating. Cox once speculated this intense acting style contributed to Day-Lewis stepping back from acting at age 55, suggesting 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. 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 Link to Jeremy Strong
In an interview with Variety, Cox insinuated a connection between Strong’s Method acting and Day-Lewis because “Jeremy was Day-Lewis’ assistant,” implying Strong learned the technique from him. However, Day-Lewis strongly refuted 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
Day-Lewis acknowledges Brian Cox’s critique but rejects any responsibility for influencing Jeremy Strong’s Method acting, emphasizing he was unexpectedly drawn into the controversy.
Author’s summary: Daniel Day-Lewis rejects Brian Cox’s claim linking him to Jeremy Strong’s Method acting, emphasizing he feels no responsibility for Strong’s approach or the surrounding debate.