Famed actor Brian Cox told one of Hollywood’s most elite actresses, Meryl Streep, that he didn’t like her, and then told the stunned actress exactly why he felt that way.

Cox’s reasoning, after all, was based on flattery, which caught Streep off guard. The “Succession” star opened up about method acting with Emily Blunt in a recent interview. varietyAnd even though he leaked that he felt Streep was one of the most talented actresses he’d ever met, he said something bold to her face.

“I met her once and she said, ‘I didn’t like you,'” he said. “And she said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘She was jealous and never liked,'” continued Cox. “How can someone be that good?”

The conversation began when Brandt and Cox were discussing her role in The Devil Wears Prada, when she was working on set with the legend Streep.

As the two discussed their different experiences as actors, Brandt shared what it was like to work on the film.

“When it was announced, it was just an extraordinary overnight shift in my life,” she said in an interview with Variety.

Cox’s reply expressed his adoration of Streep.

“I loved it, and to be able to work with one of the greatest movie actresses of all time is a real envy,” he told Brandt. (Related article: ‘Absolute idiot’: Actor Brian Cox slams Hollywood hiring practices that kill ‘imagination’)

“One of my ambitions, before I say it, is to work with Meryl,” Cox said.

Brandt went on to reveal a little secret to Cox.

“Oh, don’t say ‘sniff’!” She was amazing and she was a little scary in that movie,” she said.

“She said it was her first time trying method acting, but playing Miranda made her so miserable.”