Daniel Day-Lewis Accuses Brian Cox of Creating a 'Conflict' About Method Acting: 'He's Been Given a Soapbox'

Daniel Day-Lewis Accuses Brian Cox of Creating a 'Conflict' About Method Acting

Daniel Day-Lewis has responded to Brian Cox’s earlier comments about method acting, saying he was drawn into a debate he never intended to join. The actor spoke about the matter during a recent interview with the U.K.’s Big Issue while promoting his new film Anemone.

“Listen, I worked with Brian Cox once and got somehow drawn into this handbags-at-dawn conflict inadvertently,” Day-Lewis said. “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.”

The tension began after Cox suggested in a 2023 interview with Variety that his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong had delved into method acting after spending time with Day-Lewis. Cox implied that Strong’s approach was influenced by the Oscar-winning actor’s immersive style of performance.

“Of course, Jeremy was Dan Day-Lewis’ assistant. So he’s learned all that stuff from Dan,” Cox said at the time.

Day-Lewis, 68, clarified that he did not seek to be part of the discussion and viewed Cox’s comments as pulling him into an unnecessary debate. The two previously worked together on the 1997 film The Boxer, long before these public remarks reignited conversation about method acting in modern cinema.

Author’s Summary

Daniel Day-Lewis addressed Brian Cox’s remarks on method acting, expressing that he was unintentionally drawn into a conflict he never intended to join.

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People.com People.com — 2025-11-04

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