"Your desk is a danger to your mental health," Brian Cox says in a new advertisement for Asics. (AP PHOTO)

Succession actor Brian Cox has warned people to “move for your mind” in order to avoid mental health issues brought on by “killer” desks in the workplace.

Playing the role of a tough boss in a new advert for sportswear company Asics, the 78-year-old tells viewers, “I’m not the deadliest thing in the office” before pointing at the desk in front of him and saying “this is”.

In the ad, the veteran Scottish actor says: “Hello workers, another long day at the office? Boss being a meanie? Too bad.

“Shut up, listen, I’ve got some important news, it turns out that I’m not the deadliest thing in the office, this is.

“It’s a killer, science has shown it can be bad for your mental health, but I don’t see you running away from it.

“No, your boss has you locked to it for eight, nine, 10 hours a day. Look at you, trading your own mental health for free fruit and a wellness Wednesday, banana anyone?

“F*** the fruit, wake up geniuses, I’m giving you the truth, it’s a trap. You need to get away from your desk, run, jump, rollerskate, whatever, I don’t care, just move for your mind.”

A title then appears on screen adding: “Your desk is a danger to your mental health, take a desk break to move your mind.”

During his career, Cox has been known for playing tyrannical characters including media mogul Logan Roy in Succession, Nazi leader Hermann Goering in 2000’s historical drama Nuremberg, and corrupt CIA operative Ward Abbott in 2002’s The Bourne Identity and 2004’s The Bourne Supremacy.

Speaking about the commercial, Cox said: “I’ve played some pretty intimidating characters in my time but who would have thought a desk could be scarier?

“It’s great to see Asics try and do something about this and encourage people to support their mental health through exercise.”

The ad is timed to air ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10 and comes after Asics introduced a desk break clause into its contracts allowing office workers to take a daily break for their mental wellbeing.