Succession star Brian Cox chooses Kieran Culkin over Jeremy Strong for Emmys win

Brian Cox is nominated in the Best Actor category for Succession at the forthcoming Emmy Awards. The actor is joined by his co-stars Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong in the same category. This is also the first time in Emmys history that three actors from the same show have been nominated in the Best Actor category. In a recent interview, when asked about who he is cheering for at the 2023 Emmys, Brian chose Kieran over Jeremy. 

3 things you need to know 

• Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong play family members in the HBO show Succession. 
• The series premiered in 2018 and concluded in 2023 with 39 episodes. 
• It also stars Sarah Snook, Nicholas Braun and Matthew Macfadyen in major roles. 

Brian Cox on his Emmys favorite 

In a conversation with The Weekend Magazine, when asked about his favorite contender at this year’s Emmys nomination, Brian named Kieran Culkin as the one he wants to see as the winner in the Best Actor category. The Succession star said, “I don’t expect to win so I am not bothered either way, but I am hoping maybe Kieran should get it because he was wonderful, certainly in the future episode.” 

Brian went on to mention Jeremy and added, “And Jeremy Strong? I’d better not talk about him. I’ve talked enough about Jeremy. He has his process as he calls it, so I’ll just leave him to it.” 

(Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong played the role of a father and a son in Succession | Image: AP)

Brian seemed to be hinting at Jeremy’s process of method acting in his statement. He has previously expressed his views on Jeremy’s full-immersion acting methods while playing Kendall Roy in Succession. Talking to The New Yorker, Cox called his co-star's method of acting “f****ng annoying.”

Jeremy Strong on Brian Cox's criticism of his acting method 

Later, In a GQ cover story, Jeremy replied to Brian’s criticism in a very polite and mature manner. The actor expressed his respect for the Mending The Line star and said that has earned the right to say whatever he wants. He added that he feels affection for all his family members in the show and similar to a family you don't always get along with the people you care about but he does respect them at all times.