Succession, the new drama on ABC about media magnate Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his powerful family empire, has generated much speculation that its storyline mirrors that of real-life oligarch Rupert Murdoch and News Corp – but is this really the case?
The series follows Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) as they fight over control of Waystar Royco, their father’s company.
Kendall Roy
Kendall Roy embodies brokenness. Raised from birth to be his father’s successor en-titre, Kendall Roy shows all the symptoms of extended exposure to microtrauma: addiction, erratic behavior and profound self-loathing.
Kendall’s confident demeanor belies a tenderness and longing to receive his father’s affectionate embrace. While Kendall wants to become the top dog at Waystar, Logan needs only to tell him he loves him for it all to matter.
Like his other sibling, Kendall often feels left out of family decisions. That is why it was so moving when Kendall rallied resolutely against Roman’s bitch-slapping in season two; showing an instinctual brotherly loyalty even the tyrannies couldn’t break. Unfortunately, that sense of camaraderie ends at sunset during episode 4 when he laid dejected on the beach as night fell; yet one last chance at redemption still lay before him: his daughter.
Shiv Roy
Shiv is an intricate character who, regardless of your interpretation, should not be reduced to simple gender politics or simple feminist hero status. She shares with her brothers an undue obsession for power while being driven by more primitive forces.
Caroline Collingwood gave birth to Logan Roy as their only child, which makes her younger than siblings Connor, Roman, and Kendall. Caroline currently serves as co-CEO for their media conglomerate Waystar Royco; however she and Logan are engaged in an intense battle over its control.
While it’s clear that Kendall is the oldest of four siblings on The Fosters, the show has left it unclear as to the age difference between Roman and Shiv – leading to some debate about which sibling should actually be older and when. Jesse Armstrong recently provided clarity by making a TikTok video wherein he detailed various characteristics unique to Roman and Shiv’s upbringing such as being “needy love sponges.”
Roman Roy
There is nothing more detestable than media moguls like the Roy brothers. Jesse Armstrong’s HBO show about them — which serves as a fictional version of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp — has illustrated just how far some will go to gain power.
Roman (Kieran Culkin) is the sharp-witted one in the family, often belittling others and dwelling on his insecurity. Over time however, his ruthlessness becomes an asset at work.
He’s close with both of his siblings, particularly Shiv who is often at odds with him as they compete for Waystar Royco CEO position. Shiv’s talents for duplicity and marital deceit often draw wolf whistles from audiences.
Prudence Roy
Succession, an HBO dramatization of media empire family dynamics, has received much acclaim for its realistic depiction. The series chronicles Waystar Royco – an imagined version of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp – as battles ensue over who will control it. Many viewers have drawn parallels between its fictional family members and those seen in real life such as Redstones, Trumps, or Hearsts.
As with the Murdochs, Logan Roy has several children from both of his marriages. As with Siobhan in the show, Logan Roy’s eldest son Connor seems less likely to become leader than his three younger brothers; instead he spends much of his time tending his ranch in New Mexico and recording podcasts about Napoleon Bonaparte.
Roman, the youngest brother, is also disinterested in running the company and aligns himself with his siblings to try to establish himself. Roman has an entertaining sarcastic sense of humor which makes watching him on TV even more enjoyable.