Succession star Matthew Macfadyen, who plays Tom Wambsgans, shares his thoughts on co-star Jeremy Strong's controversial method acting on the HBO show. Also known for playing Mr. Darcy in 2005's Pride & Prejudice, Macfadyen currently stars on Succession as the RoyCo executive and husband of Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook). Tom also makes up one-half of the show's hilariously unwitting comedy duo along with Greg Hirsch (Nicholas Braun), the bumbling yet opportunistic great-nephew of media mogul Logan Roy (Brian Cox).
The Emmy Award-winning series created by Jesse Armstrong and produced by Adam McKay centers on the Waystar RoyCo CEO Logan Roy and his four adult children as they vie for a piece of the pie. Roy's oldest son from his current marriage is Kendall (played by Strong), who is constantly trying to oust his father from the company, to no avail. Strong won an Emmy Award in 2020 for his performance as Kendall, though his commitment to method acting has been controversial. Those who know and work with Strong have rushed to his defense, such as his longtime friend Michelle Williams. However, Cox said Strong's antics can be "exhausting" to his co-stars, though they tolerate it because they "love him" and the "result is always extraordinary."
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Now, another one of Strong's co-stars on Succession is sharing their thoughts on his method acting. In a profile by Vanity Fair, Macfadyen offered an indirect defense of Strong, saying he finds the discourse a little frustrating since he views Succession as a true "ensemble piece," in which Strong's method acting is "not the main event." Read what Macfadyen said below:
I find it slightly aggravating because—it makes [the show]
UPS
CEO
Matthews
Michelle Williams
Logan Roy
Adam Mackay
Matthew Macfadyen