“I love you, but you are not serious people,” declares Logan Roy (Brian Cox) to his ambitious and estranged offspring in the thrilling fourth and final season of Succession. This Emmy-winning series is known for its verbal uppercuts that could leave even Malcolm Tucker blushing. But this time, the absence of profanity only intensifies the impact of the media baron’s candid words.
In the upcoming season, set to debut on March 26, the Roy siblings—Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin)—find themselves banding together after their father’s betrayal. However, the details of what unfolds remain shrouded in secrecy, with more implied NDAs than a corporate retreat at Waystar RoyCo.
Let’s cut to the chase: this final season of Succession is where the show truly excels. The satirical portrayal of flawed individuals and their ostentatious lifestyles hits harder than ever before. If the Murdoch family, including 92-year-old Rupert and Fox News, claim not to watch the show, they should steer clear of this emotionally charged 10-episode season. Even Shari Redstone and Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch’s Super Bowl buddy, should proceed with caution.
In a just world, Jeremy Strong’s exceptional performance as Kendall Roy would secure him the front-runner position for Best Actor at this year’s Emmy race. The rest of the core cast—Snook, Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, and J. Smith-Cameron—also deliver magnetic performances.
Brian Cox continues to roar as the sharp-fanged lion in winter, Logan Roy. As the brawler billionaire navigates the consequences of last season’s pending sale to tech kingpin Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård), he refuses to fade away. Standing at the edge of a Shakespearean abyss, Logan fights to influence a Presidential election through his right-wing cable news channel while fending off the efforts of his children.
Succession‘s final season authentically captures the pleasure and carnage that come with wealth and power. It weaves together the disparate elements that have made past seasons so captivating. The writing shines as the true star of this last run, with a focus on muscle and a crystallization in progress rather than a neat conclusion.
Because let’s face it, the Roys and their inner circle are anything but tidy. Succession has always embraced the messy complexities of its characters and their world. The refusal to tailor the story is a testament to the craftsmanship and inspiration of creator Jesse Armstrong and his team. They approach the final season with the gentle art of weaving, much like jazz musicians or prizefighters in the ring.
Succession is a show created by serious people for serious people. The fourth and final season is a knockout punch that will leave audiences reeling. Don’t miss the premiere on March 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO/HBO Max. The cast includes Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, J. Smith-Cameron, and Alexander Skarsgård.
