Succession Star Brian Cox, 79, Praises Separate Living Arrangements

The veteran actor says maintaining independence has strengthened his 20-year marriage.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:20am

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Brian Cox, the 79-year-old star of the hit TV series Succession, says living apart from his wife Nicole Ansari-Cox has been key to the longevity of their 22-year marriage. The couple maintains separate homes in both the US and UK, which Cox says allows them to have their own personal space and avoid feeling "locked together." This unconventional living arrangement is a growing trend among some celebrity couples.

Why it matters

Cox's comments highlight how traditional living arrangements may not work for all couples, especially those with busy careers and creative sensibilities. His perspective challenges the notion that spouses must cohabitate to have a successful marriage, and suggests that maintaining independence and personal space can actually strengthen a relationship.

The details

In the US, Cox and his wife Nicole Ansari-Cox, who is 22 years his junior, have separate bedrooms across their homes in Brooklyn and upstate New York. In the UK, they live in different homes within walking distance of each other in north London. Cox says "By keeping things separate, we are responsible for our own mess" and that "Her space is very important for her and my space is very important for me."

  • Cox and Ansari-Cox have been married since 2002.
  • Cox first spoke about their living arrangement in an interview with The Times in July 2025.

The players

Brian Cox

A 79-year-old veteran actor best known for his role as Logan Roy in the hit TV series Succession.

Nicole Ansari-Cox

Cox's wife, who is 22 years his junior. The couple has been married since 2002 and has two sons together.

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What they’re saying

“By keeping things separate, we are responsible for our own mess. It's as simple as that. Her space is very important for her and my space is very important for me. I think if we're thrown together we feel locked together and that's not a good creative relationship... You should be free.”

— Brian Cox, Actor

“Come, you've got to come over. Why don't you come? I said, 'Well, it's a long walk ...' Then I go and I'm fine. But I'm always a bit nervous when I go there.”

— Brian Cox, Actor

The takeaway

Cox's unconventional living arrangement with his wife challenges traditional notions of marriage and highlights how maintaining independence and personal space can actually strengthen a relationship, especially for creative individuals with busy careers.