What is Succession about?
Quick answer
Succession is an HBO drama (2018–2023) about the Roy family, whose aging father Logan Roy controls a global media and entertainment company, Waystar Royco. His four children compete, scheme and betray each other over who will take over. It was created by Jesse Armstrong.
Despite its serious subject, Succession is also a sharp dark comedy, full of cruel insults and absurd boardroom moments.
The Roy family
| Character | Actor | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Roy | Brian Cox | Founder and CEO of Waystar Royco |
| Kendall Roy | Jeremy Strong | The troubled heir apparent |
| Shiv Roy | Sarah Snook | Political strategist, the only daughter |
| Roman Roy | Kieran Culkin | The joking, insecure youngest son |
| Connor Roy | Alan Ruck | The oldest son, from Logan’s first marriage |
| Tom Wambsgans | Matthew Macfadyen | Shiv’s husband |
| Cousin Greg | Nicholas Braun | An awkward relative climbing the ladder |
Themes
- Power and family: love and loyalty twisted by money
- Media influence: how news networks shape politics
- Inheritance: whether any child is fit to lead
Many viewers saw parallels with real media dynasties such as the Murdoch family, though the show is fiction.
Awards
Succession won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series three times (2020, 2022 and 2023), and stars Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen all won Emmys. It ran for four seasons, ending on its creator’s terms.
The theme music
Composer Nicholas Britell’s theme, mixing classical piano and hip-hop beats, won an Emmy and became a viral hit on its own.
Where to start
The show rewards watching from the beginning, as alliances shift from episode to episode. Season 1 starts on Logan’s 80th birthday, when a health crisis raises the question of who will succeed him.
For another powerful family on screen, see the royal family in The Crown. Interested in real company ownership? Read who owns Google.
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