Daniel Day-Lewis Addresses Method Acting Debate
Daniel Day-Lewis has responded to Brian Cox's criticism of Method acting and denied claims linking him to Jeremy Strong's acting style. Recently, Day-Lewis told the U.K.'s Big Issue that Cox's comments have dragged him into an unwanted debate around Method acting.
Brian Cox's Criticism of Method Acting
Brian Cox, known for his role on Succession, has publicly criticized Method acting in several interviews. He has singled out his co-star Jeremy Strong as an example, describing Method acting as “fucking annoying.” Cox has also suggested that Day-Lewis retired from acting at age 55 due to burnout caused by the Method approach, saying Day-Lewis “couldn’t go on doing that every day.”
Day-Lewis's Response
“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 rejects the idea that Jeremy Strong learned Method acting from him. Cox had speculated that Strong picked up Method techniques as Day-Lewis’s assistant, but Day-Lewis strongly denies this:
“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 distances himself from the debate around Method acting and denies any responsibility for Jeremy Strong’s acting choices, criticizing Brian Cox’s public remarks on the matter.