HBO has set a June 3, 2018 premiere date for the new dramatic series Succession from Oscar nominee Jesse Armstrong (In the Loop). The series’ first season will consist of 10 one-hour episodes that will air on Sundays at 10pm ET/PT.
“All through history, moments of succession are points of conflict,” stated series creator/executive producer/showrunner Jesse Armstrong. “Whether it’s the Roman Empire, Babylonian Empire, succession is tough, and often in political and national history, when a king, queen or leader has to leave the stage, they can find they want to linger in the limelight longer than anyone thought.”
Armstrong wrote the first episode and Adam McKay directed. Mark Mylod also directs and executive produces the new series. Additional executive producers include Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Will Ferrell, and Jane Tranter.
“There’s no question that Succession, at its root, is a family story,” said director and executive producer Adam McKay. “There’s also a tragic side to it, where you see how massive wealth and power distort and twist and wound this family.”
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 June and July 2018 Episodes Guide:
- Episode #1: “Celebration”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JUNE 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
On his 80th birthday, media magnate Logan Roy (Brian Cox), whose imminent retirement was thought to be a given, shocks his family by announcing he’s staying on indefinitely as CEO of Waystar Royco. The news shatters his son, Kendall (Jeremy Strong), the heir apparent, who’s in the midst of negotiating the purchase of a digital-media venture founded by a slick operator named Lawrence (Rob Yang). After an impromptu softball game, tempers flare as Logan’s other children – Roman (Kieran Culkin), Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Connor (Alan Ruck) – raise objections over Logan’s intentions, including his desire to change the way his eventual successor will be chosen.Written by Jesse Armstrong; directed by Adam McKay.
- Episode #2: “Sh*t Show at the F**k Factory”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JUNE 10 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Logan’s (Brian Cox) incapacitation sets off a heated succession debate among his children, as the board rushes to inform the media about leadership contingencies before the stock market opens. Greg (Nicholas Braun) is tasked with retrieving important items from the Roy apartment. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) makes an impassioned final plea to keep Waystar Royco in the family, and receives sobering news from longtime general counsel Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron) that dampens a moment of vindication.Written by Tony Roche; directed by Mark Mylod.
- Episode #3: “Lifeboats”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JUNE 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
With Waystar’s stock plunging to dangerous lows, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is confronted with a major crisis involving a secret bank debt. Upset with Marcia (Hiam Abbass) for pulling rank in the Roy apartment, Shiv (Sarah Snook) decides to enlist an old paramour to conduct a background check on Logan’s (Brian Cox) third wife. Kendall and Roman (Kieran Culkin) attend their first big meeting in their new roles, as do Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) and Greg (Nicholas Braun). Kendall tries to convince Rava (Natalie Gold) to give their marriage a second chance, and gets an unexpected reaction to his handling of Waystar from his father.Written by Jonathan Glatzer; directed by Mark Mylod.
- Episode #4: “Sad Sack Wasp Trap”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JUNE 24 (10:30-11:30 p.m.)
With the company’s annual foundation gala fundraiser approaching, and his dad out of the picture, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) polishes up his speech while enlisting an on-air personality from the Waystar’s ATV Networks to accompany him. Shiv (Sarah Snook) tries to minimize damage from a sordid photo that threatens a client’s political future. Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) inherits a “virus” from his predecessor in the parks and cruises division, and shares a disturbing file with Greg (Nicholas Braun). Logan (Brian Cox) makes a mark on his return to the office. At the benefit, Connor (Alan Ruck) shows why he’s better off avoiding stressful situations.Written by Anna Jordan; directed by Adam Arkin.
- Episode #5: “I Went to Market”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
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.
