Scottish actor Brian Cox is well known for his roles in Braveheart, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the Bourne franchise.  

And he's the star of the American satirical black comedy-drama television series Succession, which has just been signed off for its fourth season.  

Cox joined Mike Hosking to discuss his new autobiography Putting the Rabbit in the Hat, which he is currently on a book tour for.  

He says he’s the busiest he’s been in his life.  

The 75-year-old, who has also worked with Alec Baldwin in the past, commented on what a terrible state Baldwin has got himself into following the on-set film shooting.  

"I hear all kinds of rumours, all kinds of things about this gun that had possibly been previously used. I haven't got the facts, I just know it's horrifying." 

Baldwin accidentally fired a loaded gun on the set of his new film Rust, wounding the film's director and shooting and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins - whom Cox called a "bright and up and coming young woman". 

"Alec's turned his life around in so many different ways as he got older," he told the radio host. 

"He's got a wonderful family. Since his late 50s he's had five kids, his life has changed in so many ways. He's got an incredible wife ... it's so tragic." 

Cox hoped the tragedy would come as a sobering reminder for all those working with firearms on movie sets. 

"There is a certain carelessness on cinema sets ... this will certainly be a big wakeup call. 

"I've fired guns on sets and they're usually incredibly strict. You check the weapon, you never hand anybody a gun like that. I find it astonishing." 

He acknowledged how tragic it was for Hutchins' family. 

Cox said he had been trying to get in touch with Baldwin "just to send commiserations to him". 

The actor also spoke briefly about his starring role in Succession, the third season of which has just been released. 

"I was originally told I was only going to be in one series, but then I realised I was going to be doing it for some time. 

"Logan Roy's a man with a lot of secrets, which we still don't know about." 

Talking about Succession’s latest season, Cox said he thinks the writers need a break. 

He said he needs a break too. 

Cox credits his success and the variety of his work in the theatre, on TV shows and in the cinema to the key rule of improvisation – which is “never say no”. 

“The thing in my career has always been ‘yes and’.” 

He says that he’s always eager to get back on the horse and will often jump from one production to another.  

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