HBO's 'Succession' will chronicle what happens when a power struggle threatens to destroy a media tycoon's family
HBO's 'Succession' tells the tale of the Roy Family - Logan Roy and his four children Kendall, Roman, Siobhan, and Connor - who hold one of the biggest entertainment and media conglomerates in the world. The family is thrown into disarray and loyalties are tested when an aging Logan begins the motions to leave the company and transfer control given to one of his children. The tug for power ensues, but who will come out on top?
Created by Oscar and WGA nominee Jesse Armstrong (of In the Loop fame), the pilot for the series was written by Armstrong and directed by Oscar-winner Adam McKay (The Big Short). The excellently-crafted trailer offers a brief glimpse into the chaos that engulfs the lives of the siblings and does so with the acerbic wit that made 'The Big Short' so loved by audiences. Set in the Big Apple, 'Succession,' explores themes of power, politics, money, and family.
As the tough and powerful patriarch Logan Roy, played by Brian Cox, undergoes aging, he increasingly worries about his company Waystar Rayco, which is a family-controlled international media conglomerate. He is currently with his third wife, Marcia (Hiam Abbass), a loving and formidable partner.
The children from his marriages are in different professions. Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), Logan’s eldest son from his second marriage, is currently a division president at the firm and the heir apparent. Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin), Kendall's younger brother, is Logan's outspoken, fun-loving son and no longer works at Waystar, though he is still on the Board of Directors.
Siobhan "Shiv" Roy (Sarah Snook) is Logan's only daughter, the youngest child, and sister to Kendall and Roman. Like Roman, she sits on the board of directors but does not work at the firm and has been pursuing a career in politics. Connor Roy (Alan Ruck), Logan’s eldest son, and only child from his first marriage has pursued an independent life in New Mexico. However, he too commands a place on the board of directors.
On the periphery of the Roy family are Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Shiv’s ambitious boyfriend and a senior executive at the firm, and Rava Roy (Natalie Gold), Kendall’s wife, with whom he shares two children and an emotional bond, despite their marital separation. Frank (Peter Friedman) is the firm’s COO, an old family friend, and a mentor to Kendall. In an effort to solidify his takeover of Waystar, Kendall is on the brink of buying out a digital media outfit from Lawrence (Rob Yang), its CEO and founder.
The fact that all the children could possibly have a say in the successor of their father means that tensions build as Logan begins his slow disassociation from his company. The patriarch's birthday devolves into a primal power struggle between father and son, and between the siblings themselves.
The show draws creative inspiration from several succession stories and was created by Jesse Armstrong and executive produced by Armstrong, Adam McKay, Frank Rich (HBO's Veep), Kevin Messick, Will Ferrell, Jane Tranter (HBO's The Night Of), and Mark Mylod (HBO's Entourage).
'Succession' will kick off its 10-episode season this June 3 at 10 pm.