Succession Star Reflects on Role, Describing it as a ‘Gift’ Yet Not Something He Misses
Jeremy Strong, known for his portrayal of Kendall Roy in the hit TV series Succession, opened up about the impact his role had on him personally. The 45-year-old actor, who played the tormented heir apparent to his father’s media empire from 2018 to 2023, garnered critical acclaim, winning both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his performance.
However, Strong revealed that embodying Kendall Roy took a toll on his mental health and personal life. Despite acknowledging the show as a “gift” and the material as a “banquet,” he expressed that he doesn’t miss playing the character. Strong confessed that Kendall’s troubled life and complex psyche had a profound effect on him, admitting, “That show was an incalculable gift. The material a banquet. So I miss that. But Kendall’s struggle was difficult to carry for seven years. And there’s just so much more I want to do.”
When asked about the possibility of reprising his role for a Succession spin-off, Strong indicated that it was not something he desired anymore, considering it a significant chapter of his life but not one he longed to revisit. Following his time on Succession, Strong shared that he had to rediscover the joy of play that he felt he had lost touch with.
The actor, known for his method acting approach, made headlines for his commitment to his craft during his time on Succession, such as consuming a concoction of raw eggs, Tabasco sauce, milk, bread crusts, cocoa powder, and even out-of-date pickles – as well as his co-star’s spit. Strong’s upcoming project involves portraying the controversial lawyer Roy Cohn in a biopic about Donald Trump titled The Apprentice. His co-star, Sebastian Stan, who plays the ex-president, also delved into method preparation, revealing he ate ramen with copious soy sauce to get into character.
Cohn, a closeted gay man who passed away in 1986 due to AIDS-related complications, has been portrayed in the past by actors such as Al Pacino. Strong’s casting has sparked some criticism due to him being a heterosexual man playing an LGBTQ+ role. In response, Strong acknowledged the validity of the backlash, stating, “I’m sort of old-fashioned, maybe, in the belief that, fundamentally, it’s [about] a person’s artistry, and that great artists, historically, have been able to, as it were, change the stamp of their nature. That’s your job as an actor.”
As Strong continues his acting journey beyond Succession, his reflections on his past work offer insight into the complexities of navigating intense roles and their lingering effects on actors.