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 Addresses Method Acting Debate

Daniel Day-Lewis has responded to Brian Cox's comments linking him to Jeremy Strong's Method acting style, which Cox has criticized as “annoying.” The debate around Method acting was reignited after Cox, known for his role in Succession, suggested that Strong’s intense approach was influenced by Day-Lewis.

Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting

Cox has expressed frustration with Method acting in several interviews, using Jeremy Strong as an example of why he finds the style difficult. He once suggested that Day-Lewis stepped away from acting at 55 due to burnout from using Method techniques, claiming Day-Lewis “couldn’t go on doing that every day.”

Day-Lewis Responds to the Claims

“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.”

Day-Lewis refutes the link between his influence and Strong’s acting method, stating:

“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.”

Clarifying the Connection

In a Variety interview, Cox suggested Strong was Day-Lewis’s assistant and learned his Method acting habits from him. However, Day-Lewis denies feeling responsible for how Strong approaches his roles.

Day-Lewis’s comments highlight his desire to avoid being drawn into public disputes about acting styles, emphasizing respect for his colleagues and a wish to keep the focus on their own work rather than controversy.

Author’s summary: Daniel Day-Lewis denies any responsibility for Jeremy Strong’s Method acting and distances himself from Brian Cox’s ongoing criticism, wishing to stay clear of the public debate.

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Variety Variety — 2025-11-04

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