The portrayal of Logan Roy in the HBO series Succession has made Brian Cox a household name, but it comes at a cost: his privacy. Cox recently opened up to The Times about his feelings towards the global recognition he’s received due to his role.
“While the experience of playing Logan Roy has been monumental, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness for losing the anonymity I once cherished,” Cox reflected.
“Of course, it’s a significant role, and its impact is inescapable. I hope it doesn’t become the only thing I’m remembered for, but only time will tell.”
Succession revolves around the power struggles within the Roy family, as siblings Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (Sarah Snook) vie for control of their father’s media empire. The story took a dramatic turn in the third episode of Season 4 when Logan, portrayed by Cox, met an unexpected demise during a flight on his private jet. The season’s concluding episodes are now unfolding the aftermath of this shocking event.
What’s Next for Brian Cox?
Leaving the world of Succession behind, Cox is excited to return to his theatrical roots. He’s set to star as James Tyrone, a disenchanted actor, in Eugene O’Neill’s acclaimed play, Long Day’s Journey into Night, in London’s West End. Alongside him, Patricia Clarkson, known for her role in Easy A and her memorable performance opposite Bradley Cooper in The Elephant Man in 2015, will portray his morphine-dependent spouse.
The cast also includes Alex Lawther of The End of the F***ing World fame and Daryl McCormack from Good Luck to You, Leo Grande in pivotal roles.
The narrative’s focus on an actor who feels restricted to a singular, yet commercially successful role, resonates with Cox’s current feelings post-Succession.
Cox elaborated, “The character’s journey mirrors that of an actor who believes he compromised his artistic integrity. Although he achieved great success with a particular role, it limited the scope of his career.”
Cox concluded, emphasizing a reality many actors face: “There’s always that one character that attempts to overshadow your entire career.”