50 Facts About Succession (TV Series)

The Creation and Inspiration Behind Succession

Succession, the HBO series that has captivated audiences, has a fascinating backstory. Let's dive into the origins and inspirations behind this critically acclaimed show.

1. Creator and Inspiration: Jesse Armstrong created Succession, initially envisioning it as a feature film about the Murdoch family. However, he expanded the concept to include a broader landscape of Wall Street, making it more suitable for a television series.

2. Not Directly Based on the Murdochs: While the show draws inspiration from powerful media families like the Murdochs, it is not directly based on them. Armstrong has stated that he drew from a wider net of influences, including the Hearsts, Redstones, Maxwells, and Sulzbergers.

3. Inspirational Families: Some members of the inspirational families have admitted to watching Succession. For instance, Rupert Murdoch’s granddaughter Charlotte Freud mentioned that scenes feel “plucked from [her] childhood memories,” and his fourth wife, model Jerry Hall, is a huge fan.

The Premise and Main Characters

Succession revolves around the Roy family and their global media conglomerate, Waystar RoyCo. The family dynamics and power struggles are central to the show's plot.

4. Premise: The show follows the Roy family, who own the global media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo. The family patriarch, Logan Roy (Brian Cox), faces a decline in health, prompting his four children—Connor, Kendall, Roman, and Shiv—to vie for prominence within the company.

5. Brian Cox as Logan Roy: Logan Roy, played by Brian Cox, is the Dundee-born billionaire who established Waystar RoyCo. He is a brash leader whose primary focus is his company, rather than his four children.

6. Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy: Kendall Roy is the heir apparent to Waystar RoyCo. He struggles to prove his worth to his father after botching major deals and battling substance abuse.

7. Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy: Roman Roy is the middle child from Logan's second marriage. He is immature and often lacks the common sense his father requires of him.

8. Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy: Shiv Roy is the only daughter of Logan Roy. She is a left-leaning political fixer who eventually leaves politics to focus on building a future at Waystar.

9. Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans: Tom Wambsgans is Shiv's fiancé and later husband. He is a Waystar executive who is promoted from head of the amusement park and cruise division to running ATN, the company's global news outlet.

10. Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch: Greg Hirsch is Logan's grandnephew who is employed by Waystar. He is awkward and often finds himself in uncomfortable situations due to his lack of understanding of the family's business dynamics.

Production Details and Techniques

The production of Succession involves meticulous attention to detail, from shooting techniques to the use of wealth consultants.

11. Shooting on 35mm Film: Director Adam McKay successfully advocated for shooting the series on 35mm film instead of digitally to give a more classical look to a saga of old money.

12. Wealth Consultants: The show relies on "wealth consultants" to guide the production on how the richest of the rich live. This includes details such as how characters dress and exit helicopters.

13. Improvisation: The cast is given great freedom to improvise during shooting. For example, the scene in the pilot where the characters are at the dinner table was entirely improvised.

14. Iconic Scenes: Kendall’s iconic meltdown in the bathroom after finding out his father has betrayed him was also improvised, adding to its authenticity and emotional impact.

Themes and Cultural Impact

Succession delves into various themes, including power struggles, family dynamics, and the cutthroat world of media conglomerates. Its cultural impact is significant.

15. Themes: The show explores themes such as power, loyalty, corruption, and family dynamics. It also delves into the personal lives of the characters, including their relationships and infidelities.

16. Cultural Commentary: Succession provides cultural commentary on the wealthy elite and their influence on society. It critiques the power dynamics within families and corporations, highlighting the consequences of greed and corruption.

17. Impact on Pop Culture: The show has had a significant impact on pop culture, being referenced in various forms of media, including music and other TV shows.

18. Sex and Romance: Relationships in Succession tend to be more about power than sex. The sex lives of all the family members become plot points eventually, and a sex-related scandal is central in later seasons.

19. Language: The show delights in new and inventive ways to use profanity. Characters frequently use words like "f–k," "f–king," "s–t," and "c–t."

Awards and Recognition

Succession has received numerous awards and nominations, solidifying its place as one of the best TV dramas of recent years.

20. Emmy Wins: At the 2020 Emmy Awards, Succession racked up an impressive haul of 18 nominations and seven wins, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor for Jeremy Strong.

21. Golden Globe Nominations: The show has also been nominated for several Golden Globe Awards, further cementing its critical acclaim.

22. Screen Actors Guild Awards: Succession has received nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, recognizing the outstanding performances of its cast.

Supporting Characters and Diversity

While the main focus is on the Roy family, the show also features a range of supporting characters who add depth to the narrative.

23. Frank Vernon’s Character: Frank Vernon is a longtime confidant of Logan Roy. He provides counsel to Logan but often finds himself at odds with other family members due to his loyalty to Logan.

24. Gerri Kellman’s Character: Gerri Kellman is the general counsel of Waystar RoyCo. She is a successful corporate leader who navigates the complexities of the company's legal affairs.

25. Stewy Hosseini’s Character: Stewy Hosseini is a long-time friend of Kendall's who becomes a close business associate. He is Iranian American and adds diversity to the show's cast.

26. Lawrence Yee’s Character: Lawrence Yee is a gay Asian American man who negotiates the sale of his media company to the Roys in season one. His character represents one of the few instances of diversity in the show's cast.

Real-Life Influences and Broadway Connections

The cast and characters of Succession have deep ties to real-life influences and Broadway, adding authenticity to the show.

27. Cast Ties to Broadway: Much of the cast has deep ties to Broadway. Brian Cox has appeared in five Broadway productions, most recently starring as Lyndon B. Johnson in 2019’s The Great Society.

28. Jeremy Strong’s Broadway Role: Jeremy Strong appeared in A Man for All Seasons, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

29. Kieran Culkin’s Broadway Role: Kieran Culkin starred in This Is Our Youth by playwright-screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan, further highlighting the cast's Broadway connections.

30. Cast’s Real-Life Relationships: J. Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri Kellman, is married to playwright-screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan. This real-life connection adds authenticity to the show’s portrayal of complex relationships.

Seasons and Plot Development

Succession's narrative unfolds over four seasons, each with unique plot developments and character arcs.

31. Season 1 Plot: The first season introduces the main characters and sets the stage for their power struggles. It focuses on Logan's decision to stay on as head of the company for a few more years and the subsequent negotiations and manipulations among the family members.

32. Season 2 Plot: The second season delves deeper into the personal lives of the characters, including their relationships and infidelities. The season also introduces new plot points such as the sale of the company and the rise of new characters.

33. Season 3 Plot: The third season premiered on October 17, 2021. It continues to explore the power struggles within the Roy family, introducing new challenges and conflicts.

34. Season 4 Plot: The fourth and final season premiered on June 5, 2023. It concludes the story of the Roy family, resolving their power struggles and personal conflicts.

Iconic Characters and Their Development

The characters in Succession are complex and multi-dimensional, making them relatable and engaging for audiences.

35. Logan Roy’s Character: Logan Roy is a complex character whose primary focus is his company, Waystar RoyCo. He uses his wealth and power to manipulate and control his family members.

36. Kendall Roy’s Character: Kendall Roy struggles to prove his worth to his father after botching major deals and battling substance abuse. His character development is significant as he navigates the complexities of his family's business and personal lives.

37. Roman Roy’s Character: Roman Roy is immature and often lacks the common sense his father requires of him. His character adds comedic relief to the show with his antics and interactions with other family members.

38. Shiv Roy’s Character: Shiv Roy is a left-leaning political fixer who eventually leaves politics to focus on building a future at Waystar. Her character is complex, navigating her personal life and professional ambitions within the family business.

39. Tom Wambsgans’ Character: Tom Wambsgans often finds himself at odds with other family members due to his lack of power within the company. His character provides insight into the dynamics of the Roy family.

40. Greg Hirsch’s Character: Greg Hirsch is awkward and often finds himself in uncomfortable situations due to his lack of understanding of the family's business dynamics.

The Role of Wealth Consultants and Improvisation

The production of Succession involves meticulous attention to detail, from the use of wealth consultants to improvisation techniques.

41. Wealth Consultants’ Role: Wealth consultants play a crucial role in guiding the production on how the richest of the rich live. They provide detailed insights into the lifestyle of billionaires, ensuring that the show’s portrayal is accurate and realistic.

42. Improvisation Techniques: The cast uses improvisation techniques to enhance their performances. They shoot scripted scenes and then do other takes where freedom and creativity are encouraged.

43. Iconic Scenes: The show features several iconic scenes, including Kendall’s meltdown in the bathroom after finding out his father has betrayed him. These scenes are often improvised, adding to their authenticity and emotional impact.

Legacy and Cultural Significance

Succession has left a lasting legacy in the world of television, influencing many other series and films.

44. Cultural Significance: Succession holds significant cultural importance due to its portrayal of complex themes and characters. It provides commentary on the wealthy elite and their influence on society.

45. Real-Life Influences: The show draws inspiration from real-life media families like the Murdochs, Redstones, Maxwells, and Sulzbergers. This real-life influence adds authenticity to the show’s portrayal of powerful families and their dynamics.

46. Impact on Television: Succession has been praised for its portrayal of complex characters and its exploration of themes such as power, loyalty, and corruption. It has been compared to other HBO dramas like The Sopranos and Game of Thrones for its engaging storytelling and character development.

47. Awards and Nominations: Succession has received numerous awards and nominations, solidifying its place as one of the best TV dramas of recent years.

48. Supporting Characters: Supporting characters of color briefly enter the Roys' orbit. Lawrence Yee, a gay Asian American man, negotiates the sale of his media company to the Roys in season one. Iranian American Stewy Hosseini, a long-time friend of Kendall's, becomes a close business associate.

49. Family Dynamics: Succession delves into the complex family dynamics of the Roy family. The characters have varying degrees of connection to the company, leading to conflicts and negotiations among them.

50. Legacy: Succession has left a lasting legacy in the world of television. Its portrayal of complex characters and themes has influenced many other series and films. The show’s impact on pop culture is evident in its references and influence on various forms of media.

The Legacy of Succession

Succession has left a lasting mark on television. With its gripping portrayal of power struggles, family dynamics, and the ruthless world of media conglomerates, it’s no wonder the show has captivated audiences since its debut in 2018. The Roy family’s complex relationships and cutthroat tactics keep viewers on the edge of their seats, while the stellar cast, including Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, and Sarah Snook, brings these characters to life with incredible depth. The show’s success is evident in its numerous awards, including multiple Emmy wins. Succession’s impact on pop culture and its commentary on wealth and power make it a standout series that will be remembered for years to come. Whether you’re a fan of intense drama or just love a good family feud, Succession offers something for everyone. It’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates top-tier storytelling and unforgettable characters.