Succession star Brian Cox emotional over gameshow contestants - 'they didn't make it'

He’s conquered the worlds of TV, stage and cinema but Brian Cox reckons his role as The Controller in 007: Road To A Million is one of his finest dramatic creations to date - he even keeps former contestants in his thoughts.

The Emmy-winning actor returns to guide (and torment) a new batch of contestants in their quest for James Bond-worthy glory – and a shot at winning the £1 million jackpot. However, this isn’t just a repeat of the first series.

“There’s more interaction between me and the contestants, which is a great improvement,” says Brian Cox, 79. “It’s also infinitely more Bond-related.”

The premise of 007: Road T o A Million is as bold as it is brutal: eight pairs of everyday people – ranging from married couples and siblings to best friends, father and son – travel the globe to take on a series of high-octane, nerve-wrecking challenges directly inspired by the Bond franchise.

From climbing sky-high towers to facing sharks and decoding clues, the contestants must push their limits and tackle each mission as a team before knocking out the competition, knowing the two slowest pairs will face off in the dreaded Killer Question – an elimination riddle that lays everything on the line. “It’s infinitely more dramatic than it was the last time,” Brian says. And he would know.

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As The Controller, Brian is the ever-present puppet master, coolly orchestrating the chaos from the shadows. Contestants don’t meet him until they absolutely have to – and it’s often under emotionally charged circumstances.

“They were nervous,” says Brian. “It’s entertaining because you have this mysterious guy who’s running the show, and you don’t know where he’s coming from. He can be very strict but he’s also open.”

This series the show expands its James Bond-verse further, with locations including London’s Freemasons’ Hall, the picturesque peaks of Switzerland and the lush terrain of Thailand. And Brian’s lair has had an upgrade of its own.

“I now have an assistant, which feels very Bond,” says Succession star Brian. “She gives me information about the contestants as I watch them on monitors. She did a great job.”

Though emotionally reserved, The Controller isn’t immune to the human drama that unfolds before his eyes. “That’s part of the character,” Brian says.

“He looks at these people and he sees the human flaws. Of course, the human flaw is exacerbated by the ambition of the individual human.

“One father and son made a mistake at one point. I felt empathetic to that because it was such a disappointment to them both, and I could identify with their frustration and their pain,” Brian reveals.

“One isn’t unaware of how the show affects people. That’s something The Controller is also aware of. He’s not openly compassionate, but he’s not without sensibility and sensitivity to who they are.”

Off-screen, Brian says it’s highly unlikely that he would sign up for a globe-trotting obstacle course himself. “Personally, I would never want to put myself into that situation,” he says.

“I’m not very competitive. I love watching sports, but I’m not a particularly sporty person, and I would never bungee jump in a million years.” The show requires more than just physical courage, Brian says.

“Not only is it physically demanding but they’re exposing themselves to scrutiny constantly, and that’s tough. I’m not sure that’s something I would particularly like to do. I have respect for the contestants, because they put themselves in that frame of mind.”

Brian imagines his competitive strengths would lie in something less physical and more cerebral. “That’s where I would excel, because I understand how people tick, and I understand people’s strengths and weaknesses,” he explains.

Ultimately for Brian, it’s the emotional depth of the show – not just the drama – that keeps him engaged. “I remember in the last series I was particularly touched by Josh and Kamara who went through quite a lot together. I was very affected by them.

“They didn’t end up making it to the final, but there was something very touching about them coming together. People in the show, when they’re under a certain scrutiny, they behave in a certain way that is quite moving.”

And, of course, this wouldn’t be a Bond-inspired adventure without its signature flair. Each episode is sprinkled with nods to the franchise’s most iconic films, from Thunderball and GoldenEye to Casino Royale and Spectre – but can you spot them all?

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