Two of Britain's most revered acting titans have launched a surprising broadside against one of Hollywood's most celebrated techniques. Daniel Day-Lewis and Brian Cox, both recipients of numerous acting accolades, have openly questioned the value and sanity of method acting in remarkably candid interviews.
The Three-Time Oscar Winner's Perspective
Daniel Day-Lewis, famously known for his immersive preparation for roles including Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Plainview, revealed he now finds the approach "annoying." The acting legend confessed that while he once embraced extreme character immersion, he's developed significant reservations about the technique that defined much of his career.
"There was a time when I thought it was the only way to work," Day-Lewis admitted. "But as I've grown older, I've come to question whether putting yourself through that level of psychological strain is necessary or even healthy."
Succession Star's Blunt Assessment
Brian Cox, whose portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy in Succession earned widespread acclaim, was even more direct in his criticism. The Scottish actor didn't mince words when discussing method acting's prevalence in contemporary filmmaking.
"It's become a sort of badge of honour among younger actors," Cox observed. "But I've always believed that the real skill lies in being able to turn it on and off when the director says 'action' and 'cut.' The idea that you need to live as your character for months on end strikes me as rather self-indulgent."
The Jeremy Strong Connection
The timing of these comments is particularly noteworthy given recent revelations about Jeremy Strong's intense method approach to playing Kendall Roy in Succession. Cox's co-star became the subject of significant media attention after a New Yorker profile detailed his extreme commitment to character immersion.
While neither actor directly named Strong, the parallels were unmistakable. Cox emphasised the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and ensemble cohesion, suggesting that extreme method approaches can disrupt the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
A Changing Industry Perspective
This criticism from acting royalty signals a potential shift in how the industry views performance techniques. Both actors stressed that preparation and research remain essential, but questioned whether the psychological extremes of method acting serve the art or the artist's ego.
"The audience doesn't care about your process," Day-Lewis noted. "They care about the truth of the performance. And truth can be found in many ways, not just through total immersion."
As younger generations of actors continue to embrace method techniques, these comments from established masters of the craft provide a compelling counter-narrative about what constitutes great acting in the 21st century.
