In the cutthroat world of corporate America, where power is the ultimate currency and loyalty is a liability, HBO’s Succession reigns supreme as a masterclass in storytelling. The show, a Shakespearean tragedy dressed in Armani suits and private jets, follows the Roy family as they navigate the treacherous waters of media empires, family dysfunction, and the relentless pursuit of power. With its razor-sharp dialogue, morally ambiguous characters, and jaw-dropping twists, Succession isn’t just a TV show—it’s a cultural phenomenon that holds a mirror to the dark underbelly of wealth and ambition.
At the heart of Succession is Logan Roy, the patriarch of the Roy family and the CEO of Waystar RoyCo, a global media conglomerate. Played with chilling brilliance by Brian Cox, Logan is a titan of industry, a man who built an empire from nothing and rules it with an iron fist. But as age and health issues creep in, the question of who will succeed him looms, setting the stage for a brutal Game of Thrones among his four children: Kendall, Shiv, Roman, and Connor.
Kendall Roy, the eldest son and heir apparent, is a tragic figure trapped in a cycle of ambition and self-destruction. Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of Kendall is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the character’s vulnerability and desperation as he vies for his father’s approval while battling his demons. Whether he’s orchestrating a hostile takeover or delivering a cringe-worthy rap at a corporate retreat, Kendall’s journey is a rollercoaster of highs and lows that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Then there’s Siobhan “Shiv” Roy, the only daughter and a political strategist with a Machiavellian streak. Sarah Snook brings depth and nuance to Shiv, a character who is as cunning as she is conflicted. Shiv’s ambition is undeniable, but her struggle to reconcile her desire for power with her feminist ideals makes her one of the most compelling characters on the show. Her marriage to Tom Wambsgans, a sycophantic executive played by Matthew Macfadyen, adds another layer of complexity to the story, as their relationship becomes a microcosm of the power dynamics at play in the Roy family.
Roman Roy, the youngest son, is the wildcard of the family. Kieran Culkin’s portrayal of Roman is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, as he oscillates between biting sarcasm and moments of unexpected vulnerability. Roman’s relationship with his father is fraught with tension, as he struggles to prove himself worthy of the Roy name while grappling with his own insecurities.
And then there’s Connor Roy, the eldest son and the black sheep of the family. Alan Ruck’s portrayal of Connor is a masterclass in comedic timing, as he delivers some of the show’s most absurd and memorable lines. Connor’s delusional presidential campaign and his obsession with his girlfriend, Willa, provide a much-needed dose of levity amidst the show’s darker moments.
What makes Succession so compelling is its ability to balance biting satire with genuine emotional depth. The show’s creators, led by Jesse Armstrong, have crafted a world that is both absurd and all too real, where billionaires scheme and backstab while the world burns around them. The dialogue is sharp and incisive, filled with biting one-liners and devastating put-downs that have become iconic in their own right. (“You’re not serious people,” Logan tells his children in one particularly brutal scene, a line that has since become a rallying cry for fans of the show.)
But beyond the glitz and glamour of the Roy family’s opulent lifestyle, Succession is a story about the corrosive effects of power and the lengths people will go to to attain it. It’s a show that asks uncomfortable questions about wealth, privilege, and the moral compromises we make in the pursuit of success. And in doing so, it holds a mirror up to our own society, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truths about the world we live in.
As the Roy family continues to battle for control of Waystar RoyCo, one thing is clear: in the world of Succession, there are no winners, only survivors. And as viewers, we can’t help but be drawn into their world, rooting for them even as we recoil at their actions. Because in the end, Succession isn’t just a show about a dysfunctional family—it’s a show about us, and the lengths we’re willing to go to to succeed.
So, as we eagerly await the next chapter in the Roy family saga, one thing is certain: in the game of succession, the stakes are always high, and the price of power is always paid in blood.
