Brian Cox went on a rant against multiple A-list actors, including Johnny Depp and Ian McKellen, in a new interview with the Times UK.
The “Succession” star called Depp “so overblown” and “so overrated,” noting in the interview published Friday that he was relieved he turned down Jonathan Pryce’s role in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.
As for McKellen, Cox said that his “X2” co-star’s acting is “not to my taste.”
Brian Cox slammed multiple A-listers, including Ian McKellen (whom he’s pictured with above in 2024), in a new interview with the Times UK. Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images
Cox called Johnny Depp (seen above at the Red Sea International Film Festival 2025) “so overblown” and “so overrated.” Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival
Cox also took aim at Edward Norton, whom he said is “a pain in the arse,” and Kevin Spacey, whom he described as “a stupid, stupid man.”
Directors and writers weren’t safe from Cox’s wrath, either.
The 79-year-old called Quentin Tarantino “meretricious,” Michael Caton-Jones “a complete arsehole” and David Hare a “see you next Tuesday.”
Cox said that Edward Norton (both pictured above with Matt Petersen and Nicole Ansari-Cox) is “a pain in the arse.” Getty Images for Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
Kevin Spacey (seen outside a London courthouse in July 2023) was called “a stupid man” by Cox in the interview. REUTERS
In addition, Cox, who played Winston Churchill in the 2017 biopic “Churchill,” vented about Gary Oldman winning the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the UK Prime Minister in “Darkest Hour,” released the same year.
Oldman’s performance, Cox said, was “cobblers” and “a crowd-pleasing farrago.”
Cox also disagreed with Margot Robbie being cast as Cathy in the new adaptation of the 1939 film “Wuthering Heights,” which is one of Cox’s favorite movies.
“Margot Robbie is far too beautiful for that role,” he told the Times UK.
“I mean, I think there should be something more of the Gypsy about her but it’s wrong of me to judge,” he added. “It may be a brilliant film.”
Cox also dissed Gary Oldman’s Oscar-winning performance as Winston Churchill in the 2017 biopic (Oldman is seen above at the 2025 Emmy Awards). Getty Images
Margot Robbie’s casting in “Wuthering Heights” was also criticized by Cox in the interview (Robbie is pictured above at the “Wuthering Heights” premiere in Australia). Getty Images
Cox aired his beef with Daniel Day-Lewis, as well, which started when he criticized his “Succession” co-star Jeremy Strong’s method acting in 2023. Lewis, who was Strong’s inspiration, told Cox last year to get off his “soapbox.”
When asked if he’s reached out to Day-Lewis, Cox had a cheeky response. He said he hadn’t “because it’s got nothing to do with Dan Day-Lewis. Dan Day-Lewis, he’s discreet. He never upsets [the filming process].”
Cox also revealed that he didn’t reach out to Daniel Day-Lewis (seen above at the 2013 Oscars) after they fought over method acting. Getty Images
Cox (pictured above at a British GQ party in London) also brought up how he dissed “Succession” co-star Jeremy Strong’s method acting. Dave Benett/Getty Images for GQ
The Emmy Award winner added that he didn’t want to talk more about Strong, 47, because his former on-screen son has “begged me to stop talking about him.”
“He’s a good actor, Jeremy. He’s a wonderful actor. It’s just all the bollocks that goes with it. You watch children — they don’t say, ‘What’s my motivation?’ They just do it!”
“He’s a good actor, Jeremy. He’s a wonderful actor. It’s just all the bollocks that goes with it,” Cox said. Getty Images
The “X2” actor (seen above at the BAFTA Filmmakers Dinner 2026) also said he doesn’t care if he loses friends because of his bluntness. Dave Benett/Getty Images for dunhill
After dissing so many stars in the interview, Cox was asked if being so blunt had lost him friends or caused him problems.
“Well, I don’t know yet if it’s caused me problems,” he replied with a laugh. “I mean, my wife keeps saying, ‘Brian, be careful. Brian, be careful.’”
Cox added, “I think, ‘F–k it, I don’t want to be careful anymore! I’ll be 80 this year. F–k it! I’m gonna say what I want to say.’”