Jeremy Strong has revealed that playing Kendall Roy had a worrying long-term impact on his mental health.
The 45-year-old actor explained that he “sometimes lost touch with joy” as he reflected on his time playing the character on the Emmy-winning hit series Succession.
“It screwed me up,” he admitted. In a recent interview with Sunday weather before adding that he “doesn’t miss it.”
Since leaving the role, the Golden Globe winner, who was previously criticized by his on-screen father Brian Cox for his relentless method acting, said he has found “joy” in his life again.
“Last week I went to a silent meditation retreat,” he continued. “I really needed it.”
Jeremy Strong said playing Kendall Roy “screwed him up,” but he’s doing better now. The 45-year-old actor explained that he “sometimes lost touch with joy” as he reflected on his time playing the character on the Emmy-winning hit series Succession; photographed on October 8 in New York City
He explained: ‘There is a lot of noise and hustle and bustle now. I have opportunities I only ever imagined.’
Strong also shared how healing the silent retreat was for her life and well-being.
“I’ve rediscovered the game,” he said. “Sometimes I lost touch with joy.”
Strong, known for being a dedicated method actor, previously felt “overwhelmed” by his role as Kendall, the wounded black sheep of the Roy dynasty.
During his talk, he admitted how relieved he was to leave the role and the show behind.
Because unlike his co-stars, he did not abandon his character on set and continued to embody Kendall even when he was off camera and off screen.
He previously told the outlet that he imagined terrible things happening in his own life to mentally prepare for the role, which ultimately harmed his mental health.
Now, he said that although Succession was a ‘gift,’ he’s glad he doesn’t have to ‘burden Kendall’s struggle anymore’ and ‘doesn’t miss it.’
“It fucked me up,” he shared in a recent interview with The Sunday Times. Since leaving the role, the Golden Globe winner said he has found “joy” in his life again; Photographed as Kendall Roy in a still from Succession.
Strong, known for being a dedicated method actor, previously felt “overwhelmed” by his role as Kendall, the wounded black sheep of the Roy dynasty; photographed in 2018 still
During his talk, he admitted how relieved he was to leave the role and the show behind. Because unlike his co-stars, he didn’t leave his character on set and continued playing Kendall even when he was off camera and off screen; photographed in 2019 still
Now, he said that although Succession was a ‘gift’, he is glad he no longer has to ‘carry Kendall’s struggle’; Pictured on May 2 in New York City.
“Listen, that show was an immeasurable gift,” Strong said of Succession and finally moving on from his character. ‘The material is a banquet. So I miss him.’
He continued: ‘But Kendall’s struggle was difficult to bear for seven years. And there’s so much more I want to do.”
When asked if he would return to the role for a spin-off if the opportunity presented itself, he shut it down.
“It’s not something I want to do anymore,” he said. “I am aware that it is one of the main chapters of my life, but I do not miss it.”
In his interview, he also talked about his latest role in the controversial new movie, The Apprentice.
Strong spoke about his experience playing Roy Cohn, Donald Trump’s ruthless and morally corrupt lawyer and mentor.
When asked if he would return to the role for a spin-off if the opportunity presented itself, he shut it down. “It’s not something I want to do anymore,” he said. ‘I am aware that it is one of the main chapters of my life, but I do not miss it’; photographed in September 2022 in Los Angeles.
In his interview, he also talked about his latest role in the controversial new movie, The Apprentice. Strong spoke about his experience playing Roy Cohn, Donald Trump’s ruthless and morally corrupt lawyer and mentor; in the photo of The Apprentice
After Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump’s 2024 campaign, called the biopic a “malicious smear (that) belongs in a dumpster fire,” Strong said it “made me laugh.”
“Because it’s exactly what Roy would have advised them to do,” he explained.
‘Attack, deny everything, never admit defeat. Their tactic is a disinformation campaign. Without seeing the film, they assumed it could be harmful. But there is nothing in it that Trump himself hasn’t touted or boasted about.”
The Apprentice is now in theaters after premiering on Friday, October 11.
