Succession star Brian Cox: ‘I’ve lost my anonymity’

Brian Cox has said that being part of one of TV’s biggest hit shows has taken away a cherished part of him.

The veteran actor is nominated in the leading actor category for a Bafta TV Award for the Sky Atlantic juggernaut Succession.

The programme has won numerous gongs, including a Golden Globe.

But while he is grateful for the recognition, he told BBC Scotland News it has come at a price.

“One thing I have lost is my anonymity, which I prized,” he said.

“It is a double-edged sword. The success, I am not going to knock it, but at the same time everybody knows who I am now.

“People would say you’re…? I loved the fact people didn’t know what to say because I had done so much variation.

“But now Logan Roy is it, as far as the general public is concerned.”

The 77-year-old Dundonian has enjoyed an illustrious career on stage and screen, with accolades including two Laurence Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award to show for it.

But it is his latest high-profile role as the head of the Roy family that has made him a worldwide household name.

He said: “I have done more than 200 films altogether so it was just another role, but it was a great one.

“He always made his punch. There was nothing elaborate about Logan – what you saw was what you got – whether you liked it or not.”

Cox speaks fondly of his time on Succession.

“It was [a] great time, one of the best jobs, ever – no question – particularly because of the ensemble. It was a great cast to work with.

“We are close as a family and it was one of the happiest jobs ever.”

So happy, in fact, that members of the cast recently flew to London to watch him on stage in Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

He has also been spotted watching Succession daughter Sarah Snook in her London stage production of The Picture Of Dorian Gray.

The nomination at Sunday’s Bafta TV Awards was a pleasant surprise.

“I thought that’s gone and I’d moved on. But Logan keeps popping back up whether I like it or not,” he said.

“I have won so many awards connected to the show but it would be great to win something on one’s home turf as it were. But I treat these things with a dash of salt – I don’t take them too seriously.

“It’s nice to get awards but it’s not about that, it’s about doing the work.”

Cox is nominated alongside several Scots.

David Tennant is in the male comedy performance category for his Amazon Prime show Good Omens and Jack Lowden is up for supporting actor in Apple TV’s Slow Horses .

Cox said: “David has proved this with his Shakespeare work and great TV work. Jack is an amazing young actor who I think will go far.”

But it is daytime queen Lorraine Kelly who gains his ultimate respect.

The 64-year-old Scots host will receive a Special Award to mark her long career in television.

“Lorraine, for me, is genuinely unique,” he said.

“She is one of the warmest human beings ever. That comes across, that’s her lasting quality and that is why finally she is being recognised in the way she deserves to be recognised.

“There’s only one Lorraine Kelly and she is pretty special.”

The same could be said for Brian Cox. Or perhaps not.

He said: “Well no – there’s the scientist too. That’s a lesson I learned – your name is not necessarily your own.”