Brian Cox thinks people should "move on" from Kevin Spacey's past indiscretions and let him return to acting

Veteran actor Brian Cox has recently shared his belief that Kevin Spacey should be given a chance to return to acting, stating that people should "move on" from the controversies surrounding the Oscar-winning actor. Cox's comments were made during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published on December 16, 2024, where he reflected on Spacey’s past and his current state.

Brian Cox, 78, remarked that he recently met with Spacey, 65, and felt that the actor had "been through it." The Succession star further said,

"He’s had the kicking that some people think he deserved. He’s ready to get back in the saddle again, and people are trying to stop him from doing that."

Brian Cox emphasized the idea of forgiveness, adding,

"'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' Maybe he [Spacey] got too out of hand, but I don’t think he should be punished endlessly for it. There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let’s move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work."

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Brian Cox calls for forgiveness, cites Spacey's acting talents

Brian Cox, known for his role as Logan Roy on HBO’s Succession, also addressed previous comments he made about Spacey’s behavior when they worked together on the 1994 Disney film Iron Will. At the time, Cox had described Spacey’s behavior as "a little unseemly." However, he now suggests that the 65-year-old's issues might have stemmed from internal struggles.

"I just think Kevin had certain things which he couldn’t or didn’t admit to, and I think it was a strain on him in many ways. And for me, that was Kevin’s only difficulty. But he’s a very fine actor, and I like Kevin a lot. He’s very funny."

Brian Cox's remarks come amid broader discussions surrounding Spacey's career, which faced a dramatic collapse following s*xual assault allegations in 2017. The first public accusation was made by actor Anthony Rapp, with several others coming forward afterward. Spacey has denied all claims, but his career took a significant hit, as he was dropped from projects like Netflix’s House of Cards.

Spacey’s legal troubles have been a central focus of his public image in recent years. In 2022, a New York jury found that Spacey was not liable for battery in relation to Rapp’s accusations. Furthermore, in 2023, a U.K. court found him not guilty of nine counts of alleged sexual assault in a separate case, as per People's report on July 26 that year. Other initial charges in this case were also dropped.

Despite these legal victories, Spacey’s return to acting has remained a contentious subject. Documentaries such as Investigation Discovery’s Spacey Unmasked, released in May 2024, have kept the allegations in the public eye.

Kevin Spacey's financial struggles have also been reported, with the actor revealing in a June 2024 interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored that his Baltimore home was being foreclosed due to legal expenses from his criminal prosecution and other lawsuits.

Brian Cox’s comments are not the first public show of support for Spacey. Other actors, including Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson, have also expressed the view that he deserves to work again. In an interview published on July 9, 2024, Stone told The Hollywood Reporter,

"After being in therapy for seven years, not being allowed to work, losing his home, losing everything, he should be allowed to come back."

She further acknowledged Spacey’s misdeeds, stating,

"He’s reached out to everybody he’s offended and said he’s sorry. Kevin grabbed people by their g*nitals. Many people. But nobody [has publicly said] he’s r*ped them or forced them into a s*xual encounter."

Brian Cox’s remarks align with this growing perspective within the entertainment industry, where some believe Spacey has faced sufficient punishment and should be allowed to rebuild his career. His defenders argue that since he’s been acquitted of criminal charges, it’s time for everyone to reconsider their stance on him.

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More about Brian Cox

Since the end of Succession in May 2023, Brian Cox's career has seen a resurgence. He has taken on high-profile roles, such as voicing the king of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an anime prequel to Peter Jackson’s iconic film series.

As per The Hollywood Reporter's recent article, franchise producer Philippa Boyens stated that Cox’s casting was inspired by his Shakespearean performance and portrayal of Titus Andronicus in the 80s.

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