Brian Cox hates royals, Los Angeles, “woke culture,” and much more

The “Succession” actor also recently revealed his disdain for “method acting,” insulting his co-star, Jeremy Strong.

Scottish actor and “Succession” star Brian Cox continues to voice his unfiltered opinions on a press tour for his West End play, “Long Day’s Journey into Night.”

Here are some of the things he hates most – according to a list recently compiled by GQ.

1) The Monarchy

Speaking to Haute Living in March 2023, the actor said, “In my opinion, we shouldn’t have a monarchy. It’s not viable; it doesn’t make any sense. It’s tradition and all that, they say. I say, ‘F*** it! Move on!’”

2) Los Angeles

In his Actors on Actors interview with Emily Blunt for Variety in 2023, Cox spoke about his disdain for LA, “I used to live in Los Angeles, but I ran out of farmers markets. And when that’s gone, where am I going to go? What am I going to do in Los Angeles? Everybody’s so miserable.”

3) “Woke Culture”

About “woke culture,” the 77-year-old actor told Piers Morgan in 2023, “The whole woke culture is truly awful… I don’t know where it comes from. Who are the arbiters of this shaming?”

He continued, citing “millennials” as the leaders of “woke culture,” “Who gave them the halos? I suppose in a way they’re probably saying, ‘Well you’ve all screwed it up so we may as well do something about it.’ But it’s from the wrong principle. It comes from the wrong place.”

4) Method Acting

A particular thorn in Cox's side is Method acting, a technique where actors fully embody their characters. Cox, a proponent of classical training, finds this approach unnecessary and even self-indulgent. 

He has called it "American shit" and a "disease," even extending his critique to his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong, a known Method actor. Cox has publicly expressed concern for Strong, finding his constant character immersion "annoying" to work with.

5) Joaquin Phoenix in “Napoleon”

Cox did not spare actors outside of his show either, labelling Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in “Napoleon” “truly terrible.” 

He adds, “I don’t know what [Phoenix] was thinking. I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think [director] Ridley Scott helps him. I would have played it a lot better than Joaquin Phoenix, I tell you that.”

Cox’s play, “Long Day’s Journey into Night,” received rave reviews upon its debut in February earlier this year.