From movies to video games, Brian Cox has done it all. The versatile actor also has a ton of experience in theatre acting having done plays like The Great Society and King Lear. Recently, he has added yet another play to the long list of his theatre roles – Long Day’s Journey Into Night. The play is directed by award-winning director Jeremy Herrin.
Written by Eugene O’Neill between 1939-1941, Long Day’s Journey into Night is considered one of the greatest American plays. Needless to say, anyone who dares to bring the play to life now is going to be harshly judged by the theatre critics. However, Brian Cox is extremely furious at the critics for comparing his performance in the play to that of his iconic role in Succession.
Brian Cox Lashes Out at Theatre Critics
There is no doubt to the fact that Brian Cox’s role in Succession will go down in History as one of the finest works from the actor. And while Logan Roy was certainly an unforgettable character, Cox is absolutely done with having his new performances being compared to his time on Succession.
Cox is currently playing one of the leading roles in Jeremey Herrin’s production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Wyndham’s Theatre. The actor is absolutely annoyed at the critics who are comparing his portrayal of James Tyrone to Succession’s Logan Roy.
One critic wrote,
“Hell is other family members, just as it was for the Roys. I promised myself I wouldn’t make too many comparisons between Cox’s sublime turn in the best TV show in recent years, and his towering performance here. But, you know, f**k it: this is O’Neill for the Succession generation.”
Whether the critics’ comparisons are good or bad, Cox is not a fan. Listing out his complaints about the entertainment industry at HistFest, the actor stated (via Forbes),
“It’s stupid! Why make that comparison? It’s so obvious. Most critics are stupid. They really are. Theatre criticism has gone right down the tubes. You think of those wonderful critics of the past, there’s nobody to match them now. Because they don’t do their homework.”
Clearly, Cox has a bone to pick with theatre critics who keep talking about Succession.
The Effect of Succession on Brian Cox’s Life
Cox has successfully been a part of innumerable projects in the entertainment industry, but playing Logan Roy is what he is best known for around the globe. Needless to say, the series was going to have some effect or the other on his personal life.
Speaking to The Guardian, Cox revealed that the recent surge in his popularity came at the heavy expense of his privacy.
“I’ve lost my anonymity and I’ve realized that that was what was important to me. I haven’t ever experienced anything like this. I mean, you ask for success in your work, and you get it, and then you have to deal with the consequences. I’ve always valued my privacy, but that’s gone. I’ve been very lucky that I’ve had it for so long. You know, I’ve been doing this for over 60 years. And finally it’s over.”
Having the paparazzi blind you with their flashing cameras the moment you step out of your house and being recognized everywhere you go are just some of the things included in the package deal of being famous. While some celebrities might not mind the recognition, Cox is clearly not one of them.
You can stream Succession on Max.
