The word “icon” is thrown around a lot these days, but my guest this week is one of the very few actually worthy of the title. Brian Cox is without doubt one of the most acclaimed and respected actors in the world. With a career spanning over six decades across theatre, film and television.

In a world where authenticity often takes a backseat, Brian is a pillar of truth in his life and art. In an incredibly candid conversation, he shares his early memories of family gatherings and the (very!) early performances that laid the foundation for his illustrious career. We touch on Succession, his challenging new role in Dexter: Resurrection and a particularly exhausting theatre performance many years ago.

I’m so honoured to have had such a candid conversation with Brian and found myself laughing one moment, then so incredibly moved the next. I hope you enjoy the insight into this revered and loved British actor and incredible human being.

This episode of Tea With Rosie is sponsored by Mackenzie-Childs, https://www.mackenzie-childs.com/

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Intro
02:46 — First memories of tea at home in Scotland with his parents
04:39 — Being lost at three years old
06:23 — Memory, childhood, and losing his father
08:22 — Finding his own way without parents
09:03 — The hogmanay celebrations that made him realise he wanted to act
10:37 — Why collective focus matters
11:23 — Missing his father’s funeral
12:55 — Why children should be allowed to make mistakes
14:25 — The importance of having a constant in life
15:47 — Brian’s incredible focus during performances
16:44 — Two ex-girlfriends in the audience
19:01 — “I know s*** from Shinola”
20:16 — The best advice he received from a mentor
21:20 — Acting is a fickle business
24:00 — Another actor called Brian Cox?
25:49 — Persistence in the face of career doubt
27:13 — Relationships, marriage, and the cost of ambition
28:50 — Succession’s Logan Roy
29:19 — What he learned from a “failed” marriage
31:51 — The value of British repertory theatre
34:32 — Cinema as a collective experience
36:23 — The challenge of playing a retired serial killer in Dexter: Resurrection
38:01 — Playing an irredeemable character
40:44 — Listening to Woman’s Hour and understanding women’s perspectives
42:23 — Rapid-fire truths: crying, lying, and what makes him jealous
44:22 — His mother’s bid to get young Brian on the BBC
46:04 — The one thing he never told his mother
47:53 — The compliment that lands every time
48:47 — “F*** off!” and closing remarks

LINKS & MENTIONS

Brian Cox on IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004051/
Follow Brian on Instagram Instagram: coxusa

CONNECT

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CREDITS

Host & Producer: Rosie Fellner
Guest: Brian Cox
Director: Gillian MacGregor
Writer: Neil K Lory
Director of Photography: Willow Bidwell
Camera Assistant: Alex Hageman
Sound Recordist: Dom Lenoir
Hair & Make Up: Jolanda Coetzer
Music: James Edward Barker
Producer's Assistant: Robin Stewart
Filming Location: The Portobello Hotel
Stills Photographer: Bob Foster
Episode Sponsor: Mackenzie-Childs https://www.mackenzie-childs.com/
With thanks to Fortnum & Mason https://www.fortnumandmason.com/