
Brian Cox
It's time to stop waiting in the wings.
Learn how to take centre stage and captivate audiences with Brian Cox in the most exciting role of his career: your Maestro. Join the once-in-a-generation, Emmy-winning actor as he breaks down his unique methodology into tangible insights and techniques you can apply to your own craft and career. From impressing at auditions and drawing out the subtext in scripts through to navigating a film set and developing a truthful character; Brian will walk you through it all, scene by scene.
Looking for gift ideas? Gift this course
What you'll learn
Whether you're just starting out in the world of acting or have a host of experience already under your belt, this course will give you all the tools you need to help turn your passion into a fully-fledged career. For the first time ever, Brian will walk through every step of his craft, including winning the room in auditions, finding your motivation, developing your resilience, collaborating with cast and crew, and creating unforgettable characters. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with the industry know-how, practical acting tips, and creative inspiration to get your career off the ground.
Reviews for BBC Maestro
Thanks for signing up
Check your inbox - your free lesson is on the way!
Oops! Something went wrong
Please try again later
Get a free taster lesson
Sign up for a look behind the curtain at Brian’s course as he reflects on his slow but steady rise to success, explores what it means to be an actor, and highlights the importance of not getting in your own way.
Meet your Maestro
From humble beginnings in Scotland, Brian honed his craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, before taking multiple leading roles as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the half century since, Brian has played hundreds of iconic characters across stage and screen, including the cantankerous Logan Roy in Succession, Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, the titular role in Titus Andronicus, Hermann Göring in Nuremberg, Agammemnon in Troy, and The Controller in 007: Road to a Million. His roles have earned him an Emmy, a Golden Globe Award, two BAFTAs, and two Olivier Awards.
Lesson Plan
-
8 mins
Brian gives a round-up of his remarkable career to date and walks through the many elements you’ll cover in the course.
-
11 mins
Watch some of the best acting of all time as you analyse scenes by Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Meryl Streep, and Peter O’Toole.
-
13 mins
Why act? Learn what acting really means to actors, with a little help from William Shakespeare.
-
10 mins
Acting is as vulnerable as it gets. But Brian has some tips and tricks for positive self-affirmation up his sleeve.
-
15 mins
There are no small parts, especially when you’re building up your acting resume, so versatility is key.
-
14 mins
Explore the ins and outs of the audition process and self-taping with help from top casting director Nancy Bishop.
-
6 mins
Watch the before and after of an actor’s self-taped audition and learn how to nail your next one with Brian and Nancy.
-
13 mins
Everything begins and ends with the script. But how you unlock acting scripts is a tough skill to master.
-
20 mins
Watch as a group of actors tackle Hamlet while Brian directs, helping them mine the script for truth and depth.
-
20 mins
Hear from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong on building a relationship of trust between writer and actor.
-
7 mins
Hear exclusive commentary on how the Succession cast took ownership of the script in key scenes.
-
12 mins
Discover your character’s reason for being with help from the seven questions of Stanislavski.
-
22 mins
Watch a group of actors take on Miss Julie with direction from Brian as he helps them tap into the energy of the backstory.
-
5 mins
Get Brian’s tips for tackling his “most nervous experience” so you can embrace rehearsal and concentrate on acting in character.
-
6 mins
It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Take the acting classes, learn the techniques, and use your voice to its full potential.
-
9 mins
"When a great actor walks on stage they disturb the air.” Learn how to do just that by harnessing your body’s language.
-
22 mins
Watch as Brian directs one of Shakespeare’s most iconic scenes, exploring the embodiment of character and defying expectation.
-
9 mins
Learn how to achieve the delicate balancing act of self-belief and adaptability. Spoiler alert, it goes beyond ‘Yes, and’.
-
14 mins
Get the legendary actress’s take on trust and chemistry between actors and achieving effortlessness through perfect focus.
-
8 mins
Learn how to find your own signature ways of working and how even an understated style requires an active approach.
-
24 mins
Watch as Brian directs a classic scene and pushes his actors to communicate layers of meaning that transcend the text.
-
8 mins
Taking direction isn’t always easy, but following a shared vision with diplomacy and tact makes for the best work.
-
10 mins
Odd hours, lots of waiting, sudden action. Hear Brian’s essential advice for navigating a TV or filmset with grace and ease.
-
11 mins
Hear Brian’s wise words on practical and strategic decision-making to put you in the best position for securing acting jobs.
-
2 mins
Brian concludes his course with some final thoughts on responsibility, opportunity, and self-belief.
Pick your package
Change or cancel your subscription at any time
- Learn without limits on your computer, phone or tablet
- Download course notes and exercises to learn at your own pace
- Change or cancel your subscription at any time
Annual access
$120 $72 for a one year subscription
Access every BBC Maestro course
- Experience 100+ hours of video lessons each year
- Be the first to explore new courses as soon as they land
- Enjoy discounted rates to own your favourite courses for life
- Explore at ease with a 30-day money back guarantee
Own this course for life
$89 / $53.40
- Have lifetime access to "Acting" by Brian Cox
- Immerse yourself in hours of compelling video lessons
- Watch at your own pace as many times as you like
- Upgrade to our unlimited annual subscription for 1 year after purchase at a discount

Give them their breakout role
Explore more courses
All courses-
The Science of Eating Well by Professor Tim Spector
Professor Tim Spector
The Science of Eating Well
-
Public Speaking and Communication by Richard Greene
Richard Greene
Public Speaking and Communication
-
Writing And Performing Musical Theatre by Sir Tim Rice
Sir Tim Rice
Writing And Performing Musical Theatre
-
Writing Children's Picture Books by Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson
Writing Children's Picture Books
-
A Blueprint for Healthy Living by Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Dr Rangan Chatterjee
A Blueprint for Healthy Living
Common questions
BBC Maestro is a subscription-based streaming platform, created to educate and inspire people to explore their creativity. Through pre-recorded lessons and detailed course notes, anyone can learn a wide range of disciplines and follow in the footsteps of experts respected all over the world.
BBC Maestro offers single course purchases or an annual subscription.
Simply purchase an individual course or an All Courses pass and get access to easy-to-follow video lessons. Watch on your computer, tablet or mobile and learn on demand, wherever and whenever you like.
Our courses are beginner-friendly and you can watch as many times as you like, at your own pace.
BBC Maestro is currently available in the following territories: United Kingdom, Isle of Mann, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Australia, South Africa, Canada, India, Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, UAE and USA. We are planning on launching BBC Maestro in other territories in the future. Please subscribe to our mailing list and follow our social media channels for updates.
Yes, you can buy an annual subscription to get full access to all BBC Maestro courses, lessons and course notes for one year. Find out more
Yes, all our courses have English subtitles that can be accessed by clicking the CC button on the video player. We also have downloadable PDF course notes to go with each course, which offer more detailed information and tips.
No, all our courses are self-paced and no courses will be removed from the site or ‘expire’. If you have an all-access annual subscription, you can watch any content while your subscription is valid. If you don’t have an all-access subscription, but instead have bought one or more individual courses, the purchased content is yours to keep for life, and lessons can be watched as many times as you like.
Yes, you can see a full list of our current courses here.
We offer a 30-day money back guarantee for your first all-access annual subscription, if you aren't completely satisfied with your purchase. See our terms and conditions for details, or email [email protected].
You can choose between buying a single course as a one-off purchase, or you can sign up for an annual subscription which gives you access to all BBC Maestro courses for one year.
If you buy a single course, then it’s yours for life. You can watch the course as many times as you like, whenever you like. Our single courses include downloadable course notes to complement the video lessons.
Alternatively, if you buy an annual subscription to BBC Maestro, you can access every course for one year. You can watch each course as many times as you like within the year, and you’ll also be able to download the course notes for each course.
After one year you’ll have the option to renew your subscription, or you can choose not to renew once your subscription year is over. Subscriptions are billed annually, and we offer a 30-day money back guarantee to receive a full refund if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
Subscribers will have instant access to new courses as they are released. Please note that any courses in the Upcoming Courses section may be released outside of your annual subscription period. If you have any questions about an upcoming course, please email [email protected].
You can buy a gift card for any individual course or an All Courses Pass on our gift cards page. When you buy a gift card, you can choose to send the email with the gift card PDF attached to yourself or directly to the recipient. You can also choose to specify which date you would like the gift card email to send to your recipient.
Gift cards can be redeemed on the Gift Cards page. Once the card is redeemed, if the gift is for a single course the giftee will have lifetime access to the course and be able to re-watch as many times as they like. If the gift is for an All Courses Pass, the giftee will have one year’s access to all BBC Maestro courses, and immediate access to any new courses that are released within their yearly access period – from the date that they redeem their gift code.
Please note, anyone outside of our available regions will not be able to redeem a gift card.
Thanks for signing up
Check your inbox - your free lesson is on the way!
Oops! Something went wrong
Please try again later
Get a free taster lesson
Sign up for a look behind the curtain at Brian’s course as he reflects on his slow but steady rise to success, explores what it means to be an actor, and highlights the importance of not getting in your own way.