How Succession stars described Jeremy Strong’s widely-discussed method acting

Jeremy Strong made headlines during Succession’s five-year run for his unique form of method acting and his views on the show.

In the dramedy, which concluded Sunday night, 44-year-old actor played Kendall Roy, the son of media mogul Logan Roy, who competes with his siblings for the crown of CEO of their father’s media conglomerate.

In 2021, the actor made headlines after a profile in The New Yorker revealed that he doesn’t see the show, which is written by Peep Show mastermind Jesse Armstrong, as a comedy and that he also refused to break the character on set.

After widespread outcry and ridicule over the comments, his co-stars had a lot to say about his opinion and even how his acting affected their performance, which producer Adam McKay said was “the reason he was cast”.

Of his role as Kendall, Jeremy said, “For me, the stakes are life and death. I take him as seriously as I take my own life.” So what did his co-stars have to say?

BRIAN COX – Logan Roy: ‘F**king annoying’

Brian played Kendall’s father Logan in the series. He is the founder of Waystar Royco, the company known for controlling the largest media and entertainment company.

When he steps down, the battle begins between Kendall and his siblings to see who will succeed their father – especially after his death in series four.

Brian is the most vocal of the stars in describing his feelings about how Jeremy goes about his art — he sent shockwaves when he said, “Oh, it’s fucking annoying [when he doesn’t break character]. Don’t get me started.’

He continued, “He’s still that guy because he feels like he’d lose it if he went elsewhere. But he doesn’t! Strong is talented. He’s damn gifted. When you have the gift, celebrate the gift. Go back to your trailer and take a hit of marijuana, you know?”

“But we endure it because we love him and because the result is always extraordinary, which he does. But at the same time there is the double-edged sword that comes with it.’

He later praised Jeremy again, saying, “He’s a really good actor. And the rest of the ensemble is all okay with this. But knowing a character and knowing what the character does is only part of the skill set.”

In response, Jeremy said, “Everyone is entitled to their feelings. I also think Brian Cox, for example, has earned the right to say whatever he wants. There was no need to address that or limit damage…

“I feel a lot of love for my siblings and my dad on the show. And it’s like a family in the sense that – and I’m sure they would say this – you don’t always like the people you love. I always respect them.

“Am I going to adjust or compromise the way I’ve worked all my life and what I believe in? There was no doubt about that…

“I’m still going to do whatever it takes to serve whatever it is. Which isn’t to say that’s the same as running over other people…

‘It has to do with autonomous concentration. It’s a very lonely thing. I think there is little impact on others other than what they want to project onto them and how that might make them feel.”

KEIRAN CULKIN – Roman Roy: ‘It’s a battle. No dance’

Kevin, 40, who plays Kendall’s younger brother Roman, was the star who revealed Jeremy’s resistance to labeling the show as a comedy.

He said, “After the first season, he said something to me like, ‘I’m afraid people think the show is a comedy’…

And I said, ‘I think the show is a comedy. He thought I was joking.

He explained that the method acting is not something he enjoys, saying, “[His method] maybe something that helps him. I can tell you it doesn’t help me’.

“It’s hard for me to really describe his process because I don’t really see it. He puts himself in a bubble…. The way Jeremy put it to me is you get in the ring, you do the scene and at the end each actor goes to their corner…

“I’m like, ‘This isn’t a fight.’ This is a dance.’

SARAH SNOOK – Shiv Roy: ‘He’s amazing’

Sarah stars as Shiv, the on-screen sister of Jeremy, who betrayed Kendall during Sunday night’s finale leading to her husband’s win.

She also weighed in on the furore surrounding his method acting, saying, “Jeremy is great. He’s a very quirky, unique person and actor and he works in a different way than other people. We all work in different ways. We all have a different process’.

MATTHEW MACFADYEN – Tom Wambsgans: ‘I find it annoying’

Matthew, who plays the eventual winner of the CEO role on the show, Tom, insisted the discussion was unnecessary and was left out of consideration for the rest of the talent.

He said of the constant conversation, he said, “I kind of find it annoying because — it makes.” [the show] about one thing, and it’s an ensemble piece…

‘You think about [fellow cast members] J. Smith-Cameron (Gerri Kellman) and Alan Ruck (Connor Roy), who are extraordinary actors. [Strong] is not the main event.’

“I’m looking at Jeremy – that’s Kendall Roy, and so my heart starts beating a little faster…

“Because I took the imaginative leap. Because that’s my job. It’s not about what I feel or what state I’ve put myself in before, or anything. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. That’s just not convenient.’