**Jeremy Strong Speaks on Controversial New Film 'The Apprentice' and Acting Philosophy**

With the presidential election fast approaching, Jeremy Strong’s latest film, *The Apprentice*, is sparking significant debate. The movie, which opens this Friday, depicts a young Donald Trump (portrayed by Sebastian Stan) attempting to make his mark in his father’s real estate business. Strong takes on the role of Roy Cohn, Trump’s lawyer and mentor. Despite the controversy and attempts by Trump's legal team in May to halt the U.S. release with a cease and desist letter, the film is ready for its premiere.

Strong reveals that many studios and streaming services were hesitant to back the film due to potential litigation and fear of repercussions if another Trump administration were to take office. Recalling tactics often associated with Roy Cohn, Strong notes the apparent strategy to block the film’s release: "Deny, deflect, delay.... If you do that vociferously and loudly enough, you will make it so."

Jeremy Strong is familiar with diving into complex and challenging characters. He won an Emmy for his role as Kendall Roy in *Succession* and embodied Lee Harvey Oswald in *Parkland*. To prepare for *The Apprentice*, Strong immersed himself in Cohn’s writings and worked to leave his personal judgment aside. He explains, "You have to really check that at the door as an actor. It's an empathic practice.... I'm simply trying to inhabit him in a fully dimensional way."

Strong’s dedication extends to ensuring authenticity in his portrayal of real people. He draws from historical records for improvisation, adding "granular details" like Cohn's colloquial phrases to bring accuracy and depth to his character.

Reflecting on a memorable improvised scene from *Succession*, where his character Kendall Roy climbs a barrier by the riverside, Strong discusses the importance of following one’s instincts as an actor. He believed the event was “extinction-level” for Kendall, making a powerful impact despite the final decision resting with the show’s creator, Jesse Armstrong.

Strong also shared insights into his approach to acting, which often involves separating himself from co-stars to fully embody his character. "It's not always been a popular answer, but if I'm honest, I would say yes.... [It's about] taking a break from the social domain so that you can be in touch with yourself on a deeper level," he says, emphasizing the intensity needed to convey his characters' experiences genuinely.

His upbringing played a significant role in shaping his empathy and commitment. With a father working in juvenile justice and a mother serving as a hospice nurse, Strong was influenced by their dedication to meaningful work. This background instilled in him the importance of offering oneself fully to one’s vocation.

Acting, for Strong, also provided an escape from personal anxieties and life’s pressures. Viewing it as a liberative process, he found solace in the imaginary worlds and freedom from his circumstances that acting afforded him.

Despite the intense immersion in his roles, Strong manages to leave them behind once his work is done. "I have a stack of scripts in my office and it's like this stack of lives that I've had that when they're over, they're over, and you just put them away," Strong reflects. He believes in giving his all during performance but maintains a clear boundary, focusing on his life and children outside of work.