Season one of HBO’s dramatic series Succession continues with five episodes airing in July 2018. The series debuted on June 3rd to high ratings, earning an early season two order on June 11th. Created by executive producer/showrunner Jesse Armstrong (In the Loop), the cast of season one includes Kieran Culkin, Hiam Abbass, Sarah Snook, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, Natalie Gold, Peter Friedman, and Rob Yang.
Season one consists of 10 one-hour episodes.
The Season 1 Plot: Set in New York, Succession explores themes of power, politics, money and family. Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the tough, powerful, aging patriarch, is head of Waystar Royco, a family-controlled international media conglomerate. He is married to his third wife, Marcia (Hiam Abbass), a loving, formidable partner.
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. Siobhan “Shiv” Roy (Sarah Snook), Logan’s only daughter and youngest child, 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. In the season premiere, the Roy siblings are reunited with their younger cousin, Greg (Nicholas Braun), who has moved from Canada to New York, seeking a foothold in the management of the firm’s theme parks.
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.
Succession July 2018 Episodes:
- Episode #5: “I Went to Market”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
After hearing Logan’s plan to expand to local TV, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) begins to plot a vote of no confidence against his father. Greg (Nicholas Braun) drives his ornery grandfather, Ewan (James Cromwell), from Canada to New York for a Thanksgiving reunion with Logan (Brian Cox). Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) grows increasingly concerned about the terms of his prenuptial agreement with Shiv (Sarah Snook), and recruits Greg for a clandestine task. The family is surprised by Connor’s (Alan Ruck) choice of date at Thanksgiving dinner.
Written by Georgia Pritchett; directed by Adam Arkin. - Episode #6: “Which Side Are You On?”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
With the vote of no confidence against Logan (Brian Cox) approaching, Roman (Kieran Culkin) attempts to sway a neutral board member, while Kendall (Jeremy Strong) frantically shores up his “yea” votes. Logan arrives in Washington to meet with the president, but worries he’s been snubbed following a last-minute cancellation. After successfully thwarting a potential scandal, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) introduces Greg (Nicholas Braun) to fine dining, while Shiv (Sarah Snook) explores her options in D.C.
Written by Susan Soon He Stanton; directed by Andrij Parekh. - Episode #7: “Austerlitz”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 15 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
In an effort to fix his public image, Logan (Brian Cox) agrees to a family therapy session at Connor’s (Alan Ruck) New Mexico ranch, intending it to double as a publicity stunt. Lying low, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) spends time with the locals and finds his sobriety tested. Shiv (Sarah Snook) considers putting herself in a precarious situation when Nate (Ashley Zuckerman) pushes her to join the team of Gil Eavis (Eric Bogosian), a potential presidential candidate who goes against everything her father stands for. As Willa (Justine Lupe) spends more time with his family, Connor makes a hard-to-refuse proposal.
Written by Lucy Prebble; directed by Miguel Arteta. - Episode: #8: “Prague”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 22 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) has a bachelor party to remember. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) eyes a new business opportunity with a pair of idealistic entrepreneurs. Roman (Kieran Culkin) looks to land a deal for local TV stations with his father’s longtime nemesis. Logan (Brian Cox) tasks Greg (Nicholas Braun) with acting as Kendall’s babysitter during Tom’s party. Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Gil (Eric Bogosian) get ambushed during a TV interview on a Waystar network.
Written by Jon Brown; directed by SJ Clarkson. - Episode: #9: “Pre-Nuptial”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 29 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
The Roys assemble at Eastnor Castle in England to prepare for Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Tom’s (Matthew Macfadyen) wedding. The children reunite with their mother, Caroline (Harriet Walter), who is every bit as acerbic as Logan (Brian Cox). As guests mingle and clash, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) learns from Stewy (Arian Moayed) and Sandy (Larry Pine) that their plot for a hostile takeover of Waystar has been fast-tracked in order to catch Logan off-guard.
Written by Jesse Armstrong; directed by Mark Mylod.
