Jeremy Strong Defends Method Acting, Says He Won't Apologize for Making Co-stars Uncomfortable

Jeremy Strong has stated he will not apologize for making his co-stars uncomfortable through his method acting practices, emphasizing his dedication to the material above all else. In a recent appearance on the "New Yorker Radio Hour" podcast, the actor explained that his primary focus is "to commit utterly to serving the material."

"If some people feel that I’m taking it too seriously, or it changes the molecules in the room in a way that makes something uncomfortable, I guess that’s something that I don’t feel that I need to apologize for," Strong said. He added that he believes his approach is in service of the material and that reactions to it are often "of a personal nature."

However, Strong clarified that it is "never [his] intention to interfere with anyone else’s experience or anyone else’s way of working." He concluded his remarks by stating, "First, do no harm, right? But commit to f—king what you’re doing, and utterly."

This stance comes after previous criticism from his "Succession" co-star Brian Cox. Cox, who played patriarch Logan Roy, expressed in February 2023 that Strong's method acting was "f—king annoying," though he also acknowledged Strong's talent. Cox stated at the time that while he worried about the personal toll Strong's intense preparation took on him, the rest of the ensemble was accepting of his approach.

In response to Cox's critiques, Strong told GQ in February 2023 that he believes everyone is entitled to their feelings and that Cox has "earned the right to say whatever the f—k he wants." Strong also maintained that he felt "a lot of love for [his] siblings and [his] father on the show" and that while actors in a family-like environment may not always like each other, he always respected them.

Strong's recent role as Mark Zuckerberg in the upcoming film "Social Reckoning" involved an "investigative mission" to understand the subject matter both intellectually and viscerally. He described the process of embodying Zuckerberg as becoming a "second skin," where external mannerisms like posture and voice become internalized. "Social Reckoning" is slated for release on October 9.