‘Succession’ Legend Brian Cox Flashes TIFF Crowd While Rocking a Kilt Commando—and He’s Not Sorry

Brian Cox gave the Toronto International Film Festival something far more memorable than a standard Q&A moment. The 79-year-old actor, in town to champion his directorial debut Glenrothan, accidentally flashed the audience after deciding to go commando under his kilt. What followed was a hilarious, unfiltered exchange that had the crowd roaring and the Succession star leaning fully into the chaos.

According to the documented text in Screenshot (550).png, the moment unfolded Thursday evening during a post-screening Q&A. A sharp-eyed fan in the front row alerted Cox that he was unintentionally exposing himself. The veteran performer—never one to let awkwardness win—reportedly fired back: “Is it that bad? Or that good?” as the audience cracked up.

An Unscripted TIFF Moment for the Ages

It was hardly the controlled, red-carpet moment most actors hope for at an international festival. But for Brian Cox, it became a signature slice of unvarnished celebrity theater. The Scottish-born actor, known for his fierce portrayal of media titan Logan Roy on HBO’s Succession, turned a potentially cringe-worthy slip into a stand-up worthy routine.

“You have to wear the kilt the proper way. The kilt is designed to make you cool and free. And it’s a f—ing wonderful freedom,” Cox shared, before playfully closing his knees together. The remark drew laughter, applause, and a wave of adoration from an audience clearly delighted by his unfiltered honesty.

His fans, quick to embrace the bit, started shouting, “Your legs! Your legs!” whenever Cox shifted in his seat. The actor, leaning into the running joke, teased back: “Whose idea was it to wear these f—ing kilts? Certainly not my idea. It was the producer’s idea. They always try to f–k you up, at the end of the day. They can be so vengeful sometimes.”

The Kilt Philosophy: ‘Free and Easy’

Cox’s decision to wear the kilt was no accident. The actor embraced the traditional Scottish garment with full conviction, explaining that its power lies in its liberating design. “The kilt is about being free and easy,” he added, making it clear that underwear absolutely defeats the purpose. It’s a stance that might make other celebrities squirm, but for Cox, it was just another example of his no-nonsense approach to life and performance.

The Hollywood Reporter, which was on hand for the Q&A, noted that Cox even used the moment to comment on other filmmakers. He remarked that his goal with Glenrothan was to tell a real story, unlike some directors who just want to “cover their ass… or not.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than he realized the irony. “What an unfortunate phrase. I’m really sorry about this,” Cox said with a sheepish grin. “I never thought I’d be in this position.”

A Producer Caught in the Crossfire

Never one to let the spotlight drift, Cox turned his attention to the film’s producer, Neil Zeiger, who was seated in the front row and also dressed in a kilt. “You’re probably wearing underpants,” Cox called out to the 75-year-old producer. Zeiger, unsurprisingly, nodded in confirmation. The exchange sent another ripple of laughter through the room.

Cox’s playful jab at Zeiger was classic Logan Roy energy—sharp, unsparing, and delivered with total confidence. But unlike the brooding media mogul he played for five seasons, the real Brian Cox seemed to be thoroughly enjoying every second of the spectacle. The episode also underscored a key element of his public persona: the man simply does not do corporate polish.

Key Takeaways From the TIFF Encounter

• Brian Cox attended the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to promote Glenrothan, his feature directorial debut.
• The actor wore a kilt with no underwear, leading to an accidental flash during a post-screening Q&A.
• He joked repeatedly about the freedom of wearing a kilt and called out producer Neil Zeiger for wearing underpants beneath his own kilt.
• Cox was joined at the festival by cast members Alexandra Shipp and Shirley Henderson.

‘Glenrothan’: A Directorial Debut With Deep Roots

Beyond the headline-grabbing wardrobe malfunction, Glenrothan marks a major milestone for Brian Cox. The project, in which he also stars as a character named Sandy, is described as the story of “two brothers following a violent exchange with their father on the day of their mother’s funeral, the younger of the two left their Highland home for America. After forty years they reunite in the land of their birth.”

The film brings together a talented ensemble, including Alexandra Shipp and Shirley Henderson, both of whom joined Cox at TIFF. Co-stars Siobhan Redmond and Alan Cumming were notably absent from the festival, but the buzz around the project has remained strong. For Cox, stepping behind the camera was clearly a passion project, and his hands-on approach to promotion—kilt mishaps and all—has given Glenrothan a level of attention few debuts could hope for.

The film arrives two years after Succession concluded its celebrated run, a show that cemented Cox’s status as one of the most commanding actors of his generation. From 2018 to 2023, he embodied Logan Roy, the ruthless patriarch of a media dynasty, earning legions of new fans and critical praise along the way. The final season swept six Emmys, a fitting capstone to a series that dominated the cultural conversation.

Logan Roy’s Legacy and the Method-Acting Debate

Cox has never been shy about sharing his opinions on the craft of acting, and his former Succession co-star Jeremy Strong has often been the subject of those observations. In December, during an interview with The Guardian, Cox praised Strong’s work but questioned his intense method-acting approach. “He was wonderful to act with. I had no argument with Jeremy’s acting,” Cox said. “He would be an even better actor if he just got rid of that so there would be much more inclusiveness in what he did.”

Cox, who played Strong’s onscreen father in the hit drama, explained that a cast member who remains in character at all times is “not good for the ensemble.” He added that such an environment “creates hostility.” It was not the first time Cox had weighed in on the subject. In February 2023, he told Town & Country that Strong’s process was “f–king annoying.” And in a 2021 interview with The New Yorker, Cox described the behavior as a “particularly American disease.”

“I’ve worked with intense actors before. It’s a particularly American disease, I think, this inability to separate yourself off while you’re doing the job,” Cox said at the time. “The result that Jeremy gets is always pretty tremendous. I just worry about what he does to himself. I worry about the crises he puts himself through in order to prepare.”

An Unforgettable Festival Run

For Brian Cox, the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival will be remembered for more than just premieres and handshakes. His unfiltered kilt moment turned a routine Q&A into viral gold, proving that at 79, the Succession star still knows how to command a room—with or without underwear.

The incident also offered a refreshing reminder of a disappearing kind of celebrity: one who refuses to take himself too seriously. Cox may have come to TIFF to introduce a deeply personal film, but he left with an entirely different kind of legacy—one that has fans talking, laughing, and appreciating the sheer audacity of a man who truly embraces the freedom of a kilt.

Disclaimer - All celebrity-related content, information, and images on this website are based on publicly available online sources and AI-generated insights/data. Information such as biography, age, career, personal details, and images may change without notice over time. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of any information or imagery displayed on this website. This content is provided for general informational purposes only.