Brian Cox on Life After Logan Roy and New Directorial Role
Brian Cox is widely recognized for his portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy in the acclaimed TV series Succession—a role he secured in his seventies after a long and distinguished acting career.
Even now, strangers often request that he repeat the intense, expletive-laden speeches his character delivers to rivals and family members on the show.
However, Cox reveals that the character he embodies in his latest film Glenrothan is the one closest to his true self.
"I've played all these hard, heavy guys, and it's not who I am,"
"I can be tough and I can be unremitting, but I try not to do it every day of my life.
"And Sandy is a beautiful person and a tragic person too."
Glenrothan tells the story of two brothers from a family that runs a whisky distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
The younger brother, Donal, portrayed by Alan Cumming, leaves for America after a falling out with his father on the day of his mother's funeral.
He returns 35 years later to find his brother Sandy, played by Brian Cox, facing the prospect of selling the distillery unless Donal takes over.
The film was shot across various locations in Scotland, including the village of Gartmore in Stirlingshire. Cox describes it as "a love letter" to Scotland and a source of much-needed lightness amid challenging times.
"I think we need it desperately,"
"To remind ourselves that we're human beings and not war machines.
"We're in a terrible state at the moment and we need to be reminded of our own humanity and what we are capable of, other than just being at war."
The screenplay was written by David Ashton, known for the radio series McLevy, which also featured Siobhan Redmond, who appears in Glenrothan.
Ashton collaborated closely with veteran producer and actor Neil Zeiger, who encouraged Cox not only to star in the film but also to take on the role of director.
Cox admits that directing was not initially on his radar.
"I never even thought about being a director,"
"I'm so busy being an actor and enjoying acting.
"But Neil Zeiger, our producer, said you're going to be directing this film.
"He didn't ask me to direct it. He just told me I was going to be directing the film.
"So it was sort of force majeure."
Drawing on six decades of acting experience, Cox adopted a gentle and supportive approach with both seasoned actors and newcomers on set.
"I realised I'm an enabler,"
"It's my job to enable people to do what they do best rather than stand in the way and say 'you must do this'.
"I don't believe in all that. I believe you've got the talent, let the talent be.
"A lot of directors are too busy trying to steer you in a direction instead of understanding what that relationship is between a director and an actor."
Unlike his recent critical comments about actors Margot Robbie and his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong, Cox expressed only praise for the Glenrothan team.
"I'm more than happy with this film,"
"It's great work because it's everybody's work."
He particularly commended 11-year-old Alexandra Wilkie, who plays his great niece and accompanied him to the UK premiere in London last week.
"I want to do another film with Alexandra Wilkie because she is astounding,"
"Everyone thinks she's American but she's actually a farmer's daughter from Blantyre.
"She is truly gifted and a joy to work with."
Alan Cumming, who plays Donal, Cox's younger brother in the film, has recently become Artistic Director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Cox, however, due to his busy schedule, will not be able to participate in future theatre productions there.
His upcoming projects include the second season of Dexter: Resurrection, reuniting him with Michael C. Hall.
"I last worked with him nearly 30 years ago,"
"We were in the David Hare show Skylight and the reason I remember it so well was that we were having lunch in 1997 in a place on Sunset when we heard Princess Diana had died."
Later this summer, Cox will portray Johann Sebastian Bach in the US premiere of the play The Score, directed by Trevor Nunn, who at 86 also advocates for older talent.
In one memorable scene in Glenrothan, Cox’s character Sandy rugby tackles Alan Cumming’s Donal, leading to a wrestling match.
"We're too old for this," moans Donal.
"Says whom?" says Cox as Sandy.
Cox laughs recalling the moment, though he regrets not capturing the reaction shot.
"I stupidly didn't take the shot of Alan watching me rushing at him,"
"I should have cut 'boom, boom, boom' because the look on Alan's face was brilliant. No idea what was coming!"
Cox plans to celebrate his 80th birthday in June with a party in the UK, though his commitments in the US may complicate the arrangements.
His wife, actress and producer Nicole Ansari Cox, has a cameo role in Glenrothan and directed the film’s drone sequences showcasing Scotland’s landscapes.
They will mark their silver wedding anniversary at the end of this month and often collaborate professionally.
"It's not something that I ever expected, you know, because I've always been a sort of singular animal,"
"Cox admits."
Having made his directorial debut at nearly 80, Cox reflects on whether he would direct again.
"I think I would,"
"Especially after this onslaught. I don't know how I'm going to survive the next few months.
"I may have bitten off more than I can chew but if I get through that, I think I would be ready to direct another film."
Glenrothan is scheduled for release in cinemas from 17 April.
