Succession is a vastly widespread enterprise drama present airing on HBO. It facilities across the Roy household who owns the biggest media conglomerate on the planet, chaired by the patriarch Logan Roy — assume: Rupert Murdoch. The sequence opens with Logan’s well being crumbling, which spurs the necessity to identify his successor, with three of his kids, Kendall, Shiv, and Roman, being prime candidates. What ensues is a fancy recreation of company chess by which everybody desires to take over the corporate, however nobody desires to confess it. The draw of the present is that whereas each character is uniquely horrible, you may’t assist rooting for all of them the identical. It makes for tense, gripping, and hilarious tv.
Created by Peep Show’s Jesse Armstrong, the tone of Succession will not be the stuffy office drama you may count on from the premise. The writing is fast-paced and witty, confidently making digs at everybody in its crosshairs. However, it’s not with out coronary heart, and the tender moments scattered all through pack a fair larger punch among the many brutality of the remainder of the present. With 13 Emmy wins underneath its belt and 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, Succession is an virtually universally acclaimed hit. If you’re in search of a who’s who of the Roy household, right here’s a Succession solid and character information.
Brian Cox as Logan Roy
The man pulling all of the strings, Logan Roy, is performed by Brian Cox. Logan’s well being is slipping away, once we first meet him, he wakes within the evening confused about his environment, and it’s not lengthy till he’s hospitalized within the first episode. While he can acknowledge he wants to begin handing over the reins of the enterprise to another person, his pleasure will get in the best way of this reality. Moreover, when his youngsters don’t act in accordance with his needs, they make the choice much more troublesome. As for Cox, he has had a powerful profession, working with the likes of Wes Anderson on Rushmore, David Fincher on Zodiac, and Spike Jonze on Adaptation.
Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy
HBO
The second eldest Roy sibling, Kendall, is performed by Jeremy Strong. Kendall begins the sequence as Logan’s clear favourite: he works for the corporate, and has at all times performed by the foundations as a result of he believes he’s a certain wager to take over the corporate from Logan. But, after all, issues don’t keep that approach, and Kendall rapidly turns into troublesome to Logan’s plans. Strong’s efficiency as Kendall is extremely acclaimed, with each an Emmy nomination and win underneath his belt for various seasons of the present. There are a number of initiatives you may acknowledge Strong from, together with The Trial of the Chicago 7, Selma, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Big Short.
Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy
The youngest of the siblings, Shiv Roy, is performed by Sarah Snook. When we meet her, she is working as a political campaigner, decided to not get entangled within the household enterprise. However, her husband Tom does conveniently work underneath the Roy umbrella, which she clearly makes use of to her benefit. Snook is one other solid member to obtain Emmy nominations for her stellar efficiency, although she is but to win. Like most of those characters, Shiv is uniquely drawn, notably as a feminine character, and engaging to observe Besides Succession, you could have seen her in Holding the Man, Steve Jobs, Pieces of a Woman, or Predestination.
Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy
Kieran Culkin performs one other of the Roys, Roman. He additionally works for the household firm, however in a much less vital capability; he’s the sibling that not one of the household takes severely. With an entitled angle together with an inferiority complicated, the result’s somebody who doesn’t attempt very onerous for something in life. But, every so often, he makes resolution. Culkin is an actor whose identify may ring a bell as his brother is Macaulay Culkin of Home Alone fame. Culkin did even have a a lot smaller position within the Home Alone motion pictures, however you may acknowledge him from elsewhere resembling Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or The Cider House Rules. Indeed, he is set to reprise his position within the Netflix anime sequence adaptation of the previous.
Alan Ruck as Connor Roy
The oldest Roy sibling is Connor, performed by Alan Ruck. Connor sits barely other than his siblings on account of an age hole and the truth that he has a special mom, from Logan’s earlier marriage. He additionally lives outdoors of New York City, participating in a special way of life than his siblings, however clearly has a chip on his shoulder due to the separation between himself and the remainder of the household. Ruck has had a powerful profession with over 100 credit to his identify, some notable appearances embrace Ferris Bueler’s Day Off, Twister, and The Happening.
Hiam Abbas as Marcia Roy
Logan’s spouse, although not the mom of any of the youngsters, is Marcia Roy, performed by Hiam Abbas. As a brand new a part of the household, the children are suspicious of her entry into their lives and doubtlessly the household firm. She retains her playing cards near her chest however is evidently clever and forward-thinking, which units off alarm bells for the siblings, notably Shiv. Abbas’ profession consists of work with Ridley Scott on Exodus: Gods and Kings, Denis Villeneuve on Blade Runner: 2049, and even the acclaimed present, Ramy.
Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans
Matthew Macfadyen performs Shiv Roy’s beforehand talked about husband, Tom Wambsgans. Tom seems softer than most of those characters, looking for reassurance from Shiv that she refuses to offer. Despite this, he’s nonetheless decided to climb the ranks on the Roy household enterprise, even when he should sacrifice his reasonably left-leaning political views to take action. Tom additionally kinds an odd bond with Cousin Greg that’s half-affectionate and half-antagonistic. Macfadyen is one other Emmy-winner from the present, which is well-deserved as his efficiency as Tom is layered and hilarious. Prior to Succession, you could have seen him in Pride & Prejudice as Mr. Darcy, Anna Karenina, or Death at a Funeral.
Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra
Another of the siblings’ companions is Willa Ferreyra, who’s performed by Justine Lupe. Interestingly, Willa is called after Will Ferrell, one of many present’s producers. She is Connor’s companion, though when their relationship begins, it’s largely transactional. Willa is tired of enterprise, with aspirations of changing into a playwright that she hopes Connor will fund. Since she is separate from the enterprise rat race, she is extra resistant to the abuse and thoughts video games that run rampant among the many household, making her an attention-grabbing part of the sequence. Lupe’s work past Succession features a position in Frances Ha, and a few TV work sucha as Cristela, Mr. Mercedes, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
J. Smith Cameron as Gerri Kellman
J. Smith Cameron performs Gerri Kellman, whose position within the firm once we meet her is normal counsel. Gerri is a personality who comes throughout as clearly competent and clever, revered by others. She can also be extra averse to battle than lots of these round her, declining sure promotions and shutting down relationships once they received’t hold her in the correct individuals’s good books. Cameron performs Gerri properly, conserving her decision-making considerably enigmatic and reinforcing the sense that she is aware of greater than others may. Projects apart from Succession the place you could have seen her earlier than embrace You Can Count on Me, True Blood, and Search Party.
Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon
Frank Vernon is the Vice-Chairman of Waystar, the Roy household firm, and is performed by Peter Friedman. He is a long-term shut pal of Logan’s and a trusted advisor. When Logan has a stroke within the first episode, Kendall presents the interim CEO place to Frank, however he turns it down. Frank is a constant presence all through the sequence, usually pulled in numerous instructions by the conflicting personalities and needs of the Roy household. TV exhibits apart from Succession the place you could have seen Friedman act earlier than embrace Brooklyn Bridge and The Path. Beyond TV, you might additionally acknowledge him from motion pictures resembling Single White Female, Paycheck, and Someone Like You.
David Rasche as Karl Muller
David Rasche performs Karl Muller, the CFO of Waystar. Karl can also be a member of the corporate’s authorized staff, so he’s usually introduced into discussions across the household’s scandals and fewer than reliable schemes. In an analogous place to Frank and Gerri, Karl is avoidant of inflicting a lot battle with a purpose to preserve his well-regarded place in Logan’s eyes and the corporate. Frank and Karl have an attention-grabbing semi-friendship that results in nice comedic moments. Rasche tells GQ that that is the results of his real-life relationship with Friedman: he says, “When you hire actors who know each other, you get something for free, and I’ve known Peter for a long time.” Rasche’s different main initiatives embrace Burn After Reading, Men in Black 3, and In the Loop.
Nicholas Braun as Gregory Hirsch
Nicholas Braun performs Gregory Hirsch, sometimes called Cousin Greg, in Succession. His grandfather is Logan Roy’s brother, so he’s a barely distant cousin of the siblings. He grew up with out the wealth that the remainder of the household is accustomed to, so he struggles to slot in when he enters the cut-throat tradition they’ve developed. Tom takes Greg as an assistant, whose major position appears to be Tom’s punching bag, so he can move on the abuse he receives from the remainder of the household. Braun began appearing as a teen and his first massive position was in Sky High. More just lately, you may acknowledge him from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, How to be Single, or Zola.
Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Naomi Pierce
Annabelle Dexter-Jones performs Naomi Pierce, a member of the Pierce household who owns a rival media firm, PGM. In an interview with Paper Magazine, Dexter-Jones describes Naomi as “the kind of outcast/black sheep in the family. She is an outsider among her clan.” After experiencing a critical accident that killed her mom and left her traumatized, Naomi has a private hatred of the Roy household because it was their tabloids that adopted her and her household round within the wake of this tragedy. This creates rigidity when the Roy household desires to amass PGM. Dexter-Jones can be seen in initiatives resembling Under the Silver Lake, Ravage, and Red Oaks.
Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan
Jess Jordan is performed by Juliana Canfield. She is Kendall’s assistant all through the sequence, offering quiet assist. Her position will not be an enormous one, however she is current a lot of the time, and as somebody who isn’t an govt on the firm, she acts as a uncommon level of reference for almost all of viewers. It’s a lot simpler to think about ourselves in her footwear than within the place of one of many Roy siblings. Canfield does rather a lot with slightly on this position, her reactions and responses to Kendall’s outlandish conduct create comedy and sympathy. You might have seen her within the exhibits Y: The Last Man or The Calling.
Alexander Skarsgård as Lukas Matsson
Alexander Skasgård seems for the primary time within the third season of Succession as Lukas Matsson. He is a tech mogul who owns the streaming firm GoJo which Logan is looking for to amass. At this level, Kendall can also be trying a takeover of GoJo with a purpose to spite his father and household. Matsson’s position within the present could also be small, however he causes ongoing strife among the many Roy household and develops a fascinatingly tense relationship with Roman in his few scenes. Skarsgård’s profession is densely packed, however a number of recognizable initiatives embrace Big Little Lies, True Blood, and The Northman.
Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini
The position of Stewy Hosseini is performed by Arian Moayed. Stewy is one in all Kendall’s oldest — and solely — buddies, however the two are additionally usually at odds. He will get concerned within the Roy household enterprise when Kendall is in determined want of assist whereas appearing as interim CEO after Logan’s stroke within the first episode. Stewy usually acts as a form of foil for Kendall, being cooler and extra easygoing in a approach that Kendall envies. Moayed tells Vulture that “That’s what makes him so likable and hateable at the same time.” Outside the world of Succession, Moayed might be seen in Inventing Anna, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Love Life.