“Succession” star Brian Cox was ready to ascend to the next level of villainy when he was offered the role of the mysterious Controller in Amazon Prime’s “007: Road to a Million.”
“I actually thought, ‘Oh wow, I’m getting a James Bond film’ when I was first approached about this ‘007’ project,” Cox, 77, tells USA TODAY. “And then I realized it wasn’t a Bond film, but a game show.”
That’s Bond game show, to be precise, as “Road to a Million” is an 007-inspired reality competition spinoff that follows Amazon’s acquisition of MGM Studios, the longtime Bond home. From his lavish lair, the sinister Controller directs nine pairs of regular British folks on superspy-worthy challenges around the globe, like CBS’s long-running “The Amazing Race.” After finding hidden briefcases, each team answers increasingly difficult questions to win cash prizes up to £1 million ($1.2 million) or go home.
Cox was announced for the role in April, shortly after the death of the dark-hearted media titan Logan Roy, whom he played on HBO’s “Succession” for four seasons. The Scottish actor talked about that series’ end and the new “007: Road to a Million” (all 10 episodes streaming Friday on Amazon Prime Video). (Edited and condensed for clarity).
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Question: You’re one of those rare James Bond fans, especially from Scotland, who love both Sean Connery and Roger Moore as 007? Usually, it’s Scotsman Connery or nothing. Is Moore ranked unfairly by fans?
Brian Cox: Roger Moore is very underestimated in that role. He had this joyous wit that I loved, very tongue-in-cheek. Sean had this dry, Scottish wit that I knew very well. I met them both a few times and they were both very nice. Being a Scotsman, Sean was like a God to us all. It was like The Reverend Sean Connery.
The Bond franchise is really the gold standard for baddies. Who is your best villain pick?
Blofeld from “Goldfinger” (Gert Fröbe). It’s just the way he says, “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die” as Sean Connery is stretched out there. The way he delivered those lines, I always thought he was the most effective Bond villain.
There are nine really interesting British couples on display in “Road to a Million.” Why no Americans?
I think that’s something we’ll arrive at later. This is the experiment stage. It’s very logical that they will come to that casting with a second (season, which has not been announced).
These contestants fly around the world and get in some harrowing situations with rock-climbing, crane-walking and Scottish Highlands trekking in skinny jeans. You were sure these regular people would be OK as the Controller sat in his lair?
There was a great crew with director Julian Jones who ran the whole thing and did a fantastic job of coordinating everybody. That wasn’t my job. My job was very simple, shot in a location in London’s East End. It was short and sweet and to the point.
And being the Controller, there was a paycheck?
That was the most important thing.
I’m not going to lie, I was hoping the Controller would give a maniacal villain laugh. Did you at least consider that?
Now, wait a minute. I’m a proper actor. I don’t go for that (nonsense).
Who is more evil, Logan Roy or the Controller?
The Controller has got a job controlling the situation. And it’s a big job, because it’s covering the whole world. He’s tough, not evil. And Logan Roy is one of the most misunderstood characters in television. Because he’s not evil either. He’s gruff. He’s rough. He’s foul of language. But not evil, at all. He just wants his business to have a proper successor in his family. But as we see through four seasons, this family is not capable.
You have insisted you don’t watch your episodes. But the “Succession” May finale featured family outsider Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) triumphing over Logan’s own children to succeed him at Waystar Royco. You’re good with that?
I think that was (“Succession” creator) Jesse Armstrong’s original plan. Logan gave his own kids the last benefit of the doubt before saying probably my favorite line in the whole show: “I love you, but you’re not serious people.” So Tom was already coming to the fore. Tom was the one person who came to Logan when he was suffering from his urinary tract infection. And Tom has to deal with being married to my avaricious daughter Shiv (Sarah Snook). There’s that wonderful end moment when Shiv puts her hand on top of his in the car. It was always going to be Tom Wambsgans. Logan got what he wanted.
Very specific. So you broke down and watched the ending after all?
I haven’t watched it. I just followed through on that thought. Also, my wife (actress Nicole Ansari-Cox) was in one of the last “Succession” episodes. I knew Tom was going to be it from go.
