Acting Strong

Brian Cox: losing everything at 8, the art of persisting, Succession and lessons from a 60-year career

Content Warning: There is a brief mention of attempted suicide in this episode. What happens when resilience becomes a way of life? Brian Cox, the award-winning actor known worldwide for his portrayal of Logan Roy in Succession, chats to Ali and Unique and takes us on a masterclass journey through his extraordinary 60-year career. Having grown up in working-class Dundee, Brian shares how losing his father at eight years old and his mother's subsequent breakdown became the foundation for his remarkable resilience. "When you lose your father and your mother, rejection is very easy," he reflects with characteristic directness. "You learn not to dwell. That's the reality. You just have to deal with it." This early hardship transformed into a profound liberation that shaped both his artistic approach and his politics. Brian speaks candidly about global fame arriving late in his career through Succession and his mixed feelings about losing the anonymity he valued for decades. His passionate defense of theatrical traditions – particularly his disdain for microphones and emphasis on vocal projection – reveals a craftsman dedicated to preserving standards in an evolving industry. "Being real or being natural is not being truthful," he asserts. This distinction between truthfulness and naturalism forms the cornerstone of his artistic philosophy. Perhaps most moving is Brian's commitment to mentoring young actors, describing it as "passing the baton on" out of deep respect for his profession. His reverence for theatre as "the one true church" and Shakespeare as "better than the Bible" demonstrates why he considers acting a noble calling that illuminates the human experience. Whether you're an aspiring performer or simply fascinated by resilience in creative life, Brian Cox's insights offer a masterclass in persisting through adversity with integrity, clarity of purpose, and unwavering dedication to your craft. Listen now and discover why, after six decades, Brian Cox remains one of our most respected and vital artistic voices. Hosts & Guests: Ali Godfrey (Host) Unique Spencer (Host) Brain Cox (Guest) Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Email: actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk [actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk] www.actingstrong.com [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386116] Social Media: @ActingStrong Instagram: @GEN_ARTS Facebook: @GenerationArts Produced & Edited by: Ali Godfrey Acting Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and this production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. www.generationarts.org.uk [https://www.generationarts.org.uk/]

Patsy Palmer: from the East End to Eastenders, 30 years as an iconic soap character

Patsy Palmer is an Actor, DJ, Wellness Advocate and Cultural Icon, best known for her unforgettable role as Bianca Jackson in EastEnders — a character she has embodied for over 30 years, earning her a place in British television history. Patsy's background and career is a story underpinned by resilience. In this episode, Patsy shares honest reflections on growing up in the East End of London, her early experiences in the acting industry, and the importance of creating space and opportunity for working class actors in today’s cultural landscape. She speaks candidly about the realities of being seen as an “icon,” what that label means to her, and how she’s carved out a different kind of life in Malibu — one that keeps her grounded, passionate, and connected to her roots. Hosts & Guests: Ali Godfrey (Host) Unique Spencer (Host) Patsy Palmer (Guest) Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Email: actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk [actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk] www.actingstrong.com [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386116] Social Media: @ActingStrong Instagram: @GEN_ARTS Facebook: @GenerationArts Produced & Edited by: Ali Godfrey Acting Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and this production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. www.generationarts.org.uk [https://www.generationarts.org.uk/]

Sarah Seggari: Resilience behind the role, from Drama School to BBC Drama, and finding love for Shakespeare

Actor Sarah Seggari joins Ali and Unique for an honest, funny, and inspiring conversation about her journey from South London to becoming a series regular playing Rida Amaan on BBC’s Casualty. She shares how solid drama school training set the foundation, but it was learning to trust her gut—like the time she stuck with her original self-tape despite her agent’s advice—that helped her land the role. Sarah talks candidly about relocating to Cardiff for filming, building a new community, and the everyday resilience it takes to keep going in the industry. Packed with gold for aspiring actors, Sarah unpacks what it’s like to work with a rotating cast of guest actors, the shift from stage to screen, and how to create a truthful TV character when scripts can change at the last minute. She speaks with real passion about her experiences at Shakespeare’s Globe, how she unlocked a love for Shakespeare, and gives practical advice on preparing strong classical monologues for auditions. If you're an actor navigating early career highs and lows, this episode is full of insight, humour, and hard-earned wisdom. Subscribe, spread the word and turn on your notifications. Each guest brings their own take on resilience. So take what lands, leave what doesn't. Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Email: actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk [actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk] www.actingstrong.com [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386116] Social Media: @ActingStrong Instagram: @GEN_ARTS Facebook: @GenerationArts Produced & Edited by: Ali Godfrey Acting Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and this production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. www.generationarts.org.uk [https://www.generationarts.org.uk/]

Helder Fernandes: From Harlesden to Hollywood? Netflix success and staying humble, side jobs as a working actor

An episode for aspiring actors looking for inspiration on resilience, success, and a grounding in the realities of being a jobbing actor.   Actor Helder Fernandes has starred in Black Mirror, Rings of Power, The Gentlemen, Top Boy, and the National Theatre's Our Generation.  In this down-to-earth conversation with Ali and Unique he shares his journey from struggling to get into drama school to starring in Netflix hits while maintaining a side job for a supermarket.  Helder reflects on balancing fame with staying grounded, finding his confidence through Generation Arts, and the importance of remaining humble despite success in the industry.  He describes using lockdown to perfect self-taping skills that led to commercial and TV opportunities and shares his experience performing verbatim theatre in Our Generation at the National Theatre. He opens up about his lack of high school exam grades, struggles through three years of drama school auditions before finally being accepted and learning to embrace his unique journey and build confidence through drama school training. Helder is giving back to Generation Arts and showing others from similar backgrounds that success is possible, and we are sure you'll agree he is truly a role model to all aspiring actors out there.  Subscribe, spread the word and turn on your notifications. Each guest brings their own take on resilience, so take what lands and leave what doesn't. Hosts & Guests: Ali Godfrey (Host) Unique Spencer (Host) Helder Fernandes (Guest) Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Email: actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk [actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk] www.actingstrong.com [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386116] Social Media: @ActingStrong Instagram: @GEN_ARTS Facebook: @GenerationArts Produced & Edited by: Ali Godfrey Acting Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and this production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. www.generationarts.org.uk [https://www.generationarts.org.uk/]

Tamara Lawrance: Fearless in Get Millie Black, the courage to choose carefully, building a career that matters

What happens when a performer refuses to compromise on their artistic integrity from day one? Tamara Lawrance's remarkable career journey offers a masterclass in building success through meaningful choices and unwavering self-belief. Tamara chats to Ali and Unique about their recent work in "The Comeuppance" at the Almeida Theatre and their groundbreaking role in Channel 4's "Get Millie Black" – a production they describe as "seminal" for its unprecedented representation of diverse Jamaican communities and centering of queer and trans stories. Filmed primarily in Kingston with local talent, the series reconnected Tamara with their heritage while showcasing Jamaica's rich creative ecosystem to international audiences. The conversation reveals Tamara's approach to career development, guided by a simple yet powerful principle: "If I only have a finite pool of energy, I want to give it to something that I care about." This intentionality has resulted in an impressive body of work spanning prestigious stages like the National Theatre alongside major screen productions for BBC, Netflix, and Channel 4. Most compelling is Tamara's vulnerability about their journey from a shy drama school student who experienced anxiety to the confident professional they are today.  Whether you're a beginner actor, fellow artist or someone seeking inspiration for your own creative path, Tamara’s story demonstrates how authenticity, preparation, and resilience can create a career that's not just successful, but deeply fulfilling. Listen now for insights that will transform how you approach your artistic journey.   Hosts & Guests: Ali Godfrey (Host) Unique Spencer (Host) Tamara Lawrance (Guest) Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Send us a Text Message with your feedback, questions or requests for future episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2386116/open_sms] Email: actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk [actingstrong@generationarts.org.uk] www.actingstrong.com [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386116] Social Media: @ActingStrong Instagram: @GEN_ARTS Facebook: @GenerationArts Produced & Edited by: Ali Godfrey Acting Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and this production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. www.generationarts.org.uk [https://www.generationarts.org.uk/]