In a recent interview, Succession star Brian Cox shares his thoughts on Kevin Spacey‘s potential return to Hollywood and his professional relationship with Jeremy Strong during the concluding season of the critically acclaimed series.

Brian Cox, known for his candid remarks and powerful performances, particularly as Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession, is not shy about discussing the most pressing controversies in his career. Media outlets frequently seek his opinions on controversial subjects to create compelling headlines. The latest discourse arises from an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where Cox addresses the implications of Kevin Spacey re-entering the film industry and reflects on his working dynamic with Jeremy Strong during the show’s final season, despite previously critiquing Strong’s unique acting techniques.

Discussing the complexities of cancel culture, Cox expressed his views on Kevin Spacey‘s re-emergence in the film industry. He acknowledged that while Spacey’s past actions were “a little unseemly,” he believes in the actor’s right to return to his craft and engage in the cinematic landscape once more.

According to Cox, “I just think Kevin had certain things which he couldn’t or didn’t admit to, and I think it was a strain on him in many ways,” he elaborates. “For me, that was Kevin’s only difficulty. But he’s a very fine actor, and I like Kevin a lot. He’s very funny. I met with him recently. I think he’s been through it. He’s had the kicking that some people think he deserved. He’s ready to get back in the saddle again, and people are trying to stop him from doing that. And I really do go back to, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ Maybe he got too out of hand, but I don’t think he should be punished endlessly for it. There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let’s move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work.”

In the same THR interview, the conversation shifted to the dynamic between Cox and Jeremy Strong, especially in light of a previous 2021 New Yorker profile that featured Cox’s critiques of Strong’s acting methods. THR inquired whether there was any tension on set during the filming of Succession‘s final season. Fortunately, Cox reassured fans that they maintained a professional atmosphere, focusing on their craft and collaborative efforts.

“We just got on with our job,” Cox remarked. “We get on with what we’re doing. We’re not going to buy into that thing with Jeremy. Jeremy was Daniel Day-Lewis’ assistant, so that is where you can see a massive influence on how Jeremy prepares for his work. But to act with Jeremy is extraordinary. He’s a great actor. I just think the way he works is not the way I work, in the way that [how] Dan Day-Lewis works is not the way I work. Again, it’s horses for courses.”

Despite his sometimes gruff exterior, Brian Cox exemplifies professionalism above all else. He underscores the importance of prioritizing the work, recognizing that different actors have unique methods that might seem unconventional to others. It’s a matter of “horses for courses,” as he would phrase it, meaning that varying approaches are suitable for different individuals and circumstances in the realm of acting.

Discover More About the Author’s Journey in Film and Media

Steve Seigh, originally from New York and now residing in Canada, has been an integral part of JoBlo.com since 2012 as an editor, columnist, and critic. He began his career with Ink & Pixel, a column dedicated to exploring the magic and evolution of animation, which later inspired the creation of the accompanying YouTube series Animation Movies Revisited. Additionally, he hosts the Talking Comics Podcast, an engaging audio show that dives deep into the worlds of comic books, film, music, and more. You can often find him with headphones on and a plate of pancakes nearby, symbolizing his passion for media and storytelling.