Brian Cox Secret to 24-Year Marriage to Nicole Ansari-Cox

Brian Cox knows when to “f–k off” when necessary.

In fact, for the Succession alum, 79, having their own spaces has been key to more than two decades of marriage with wife Nicole Ansari-Cox.

“By keeping things separate, we are responsible for our own mess,” he told The Times in a story published April 3. “It’s as simple as that.”

 As for how exactly that works, they have separate rooms for their U.S. homes but maintain their own residences nearby one another—nine minutes apart, in fact—in the U.K.

“Her space is very important for her and my space is very important for me,” Brian, who has been married three times over the years, continued. “I think if we’re thrown together we feel locked together and that’s not a good creative relationship… You should be free.”

And their bond has remained strong throughout their time together, with the couple even preparing to mark their “silver wedding” anniversary—a.k.a. 25 years of marriage.