“Succession” follows the evolving dynamics of the Roy family, fictional media moguls clearly inspired in part by Fox News’ Murdochs. The Roys are ruthless in their power struggle, with patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his three youngest children: Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Siobhan (Sarah Snook) prevailing.
Armstrong, a British writer who co-created “Peep Show” with Channel 4 and garnered an Oscar nomination for the movie “In the Loop,” adds a satirical touch to “Succession.” The comedic drama burned slowly at first, but picked up in its second season, earning dozens of Emmy nominations (and winning a total of 13). According to Variety, Season 3 achieved the show’s highest ratings to date, including over 1.4 million viewers across all platforms for its premiere.
That season ended in December 2021 with a shocking betrayal; the fourth, which premieres March 26, kicks off in the aftermath. HBO teased “existential angst and family division” as the Roys move closer to selling their media conglomerate Waystar Royco to the tech billionaire played by Alexander Skarsgard.
While Armstrong was the first to officially confirm that “Succession” would end soon, Cox had already suggested that. He told British newspaper The Times last year that “no one has had his contract renewed” and, in typical Logan fashion, also added an insult: “We don’t want his welcome to go on too long, like ‘ Billions’; that’s past its expiration date. That won’t happen with our show,” said the actor.
Others will have a harder time saying goodbye. Strong, the Emmy winner whose deep devotion to playing the brooding Kendall was immortalized in a viral New Yorker profile, told GQ in a recent interview that stepping away from the character “is going to feel like death in a way.”
“When I was younger, I saw the future in my sights. I don’t feel that anymore,” he said. “There’s a sense of ‘Now what?’ to which I have no answer.”
Armstrong could be in a similar position. He told the New Yorker that he feels “deeply confused” about the show’s ending and has “the circus-has-the-town feel” that everyone gets who works on a production that’s good and puts it in the special.
“I imagine I’ll be a little lonely and wander the streets of London in a funk wondering, What… have I done?” he said. “I’ll probably call you in about six months to ask if people are ready for a reboot.”