HBO’s family drama Succession returns for its 10-episode second season on August 11, 2019 with an episode titled “The Summer Palace.” In support of the upcoming season, HBO’s released details on the first five episodes including air dates and cast lists.
The critically acclaimed drama was created by showrunner Jesse Armstrong and stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Hiam Abbass, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, and Matthew Macfadyen. Season two’s cast also includes Peter Friedman, Rob Yang, J. Smith Cameron, Dagmara Dominczyk and Arian Moayed.
Newcomers to the series include Holly Hunter, Cherry Jones, Danny Huston, Jeannie Berlin, and Fisher Stevens.
Armstrong executive produces with Adam McKay, Frank Rich, Kevin Messick, Will Ferrell, Jane Tranter, Mark Mylod, Tony Roche, and Scott Ferguson.
The Season 2 Plot:
Beginning where season one dramatically left off, season two follows the Roy family as they struggle to retain control of their empire, and while the future looks increasingly uncertain, it is the past that threatens to ultimately destroy them.
Succession Season 2 Episodes 1 Through 5:
- Season 2, episode 1: “The Summer Palace”
Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 11 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Still addled from the events in England, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) tries to make amends with his dad for his takeover attempt betrayal. Logan (Brian Cox) receives some unvarnished advice from his financial banker about the next best move for Waystar Royco. As Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) maneuvers for a new position in the company, Shiv (Sarah Snook) tries to determine whether Logan is playing mind games regarding his successor.
Written by Jesse Armstrong; directed by Mark Mylod. - Season 2, episode 2: “Vaulter”
Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 18 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Kendall (Jeremy Strong) do a “routine health check” of a new media brand to help Vaulter to determine the future of the company. Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) tasks Greg (Nicholas Braun) with sniffing out waste at ATN, as Greg wonders if the divisive media outlet is the right fit for him. Connor (Alan Ruck) and Willa (Justine Lupe) host a soiree to mark their return to New York. Shiv (Sarah Snook) brings Tom in the loop about her future at Waystar and with Gil’s (Eric Bogosian) campaign.
Written by Jon Brown; directed by Andrij Parekh. - Season 2, episode 3: “Hunting”
Debut date: SUNDAY, AUG. 25 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Logan (Brian Cox) informs his skeptical management team of his plan to make another attempt to acquire Pierce, a rival media company and one of the most respected names in news, and brings back Frank (Peter Friedman) to work on the deal. Convinced the acquisition is a terrible idea, Shiv (Sarah Snook) asks Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) to deliver the message to Logan at a corporate retreat in Hungary. Greg (Nicholas Braun) worries his pre-meeting with a Logan biographer puts his standing with the family at risk. Connor’s (Alan Ruck) presidential announcement irritates Logan.
Written by Tony Roche; directed by Andrij Parekh. - Season 2, episode 4: “Safe Room”
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Roman (Kieran Culkin) begins a six-week management training program in the Parks division and is irritated about spending so much time with “normals.” Logan (Brian Cox) brings Shiv in for a day at Waystar, raising suspicions with Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron). Connor (Alan Ruck) and Willa (Justine Lupe) attend the funeral of a family friend with a complicated past. Logan and Kendall arrange a covert meeting with PGM CEO Rhea Jarrell (Holly Hunter), as a controversy surrounding a star anchor leads to a day of chaos at ATN headquarters.
Written by Georgia Pritchett; directed by Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman. - Season 2, episode 5: “Tern Haven”
Debut date: SUNDAY, SEPT. 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Logan (Brian Cox) attempts to solidify his buyout of PGM at a weekend retreat at the Pierce family home, where Shiv (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Connor (Alan Ruck) veer from their carefully orchestrated roles. As the Pierces question whether an alliance with Waystar Royco will tarnish their legacy, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) makes his case to Naomi Pierce (Annabelle Dexter-Jones) during a drug-filled night.
Written by Will Tracy; directed by Mark Mylod.
