Successionis a unique show that surprised everyone when it premiered in 2018. Over the course of four seasons, the series delivered sharp dialogue, neat twists, and a biting satire of how the richest live. Throughout its run, the show was not only a ratings hit but also a favorite among critics, gaining several Primetime Emmy Nominations in various categories. The series concluded its four-season run in 2023, and many called it one of the greatest television series of all time.
Update July 09, 2025: This article has been updated following the conclusion ofSuccessionand the recent Emmy nominations.
The show wouldn’t be half the success it was if it wasn’t for the efforts of the cast. For most of them, this has been their breakout role. However, there’s a chance you’ve seen them before in smaller parts, both on the big and small screen. Here’s where you’ve seen the cast ofSuccessionbefore:
Jeremy Strong
Kendall Roy will probably go on to be the role for whichJeremy Strongis always remembered. It’s an incredibly tragic character, beautifully brought to life by Strong in what is undoubtedlyone of his best performances ever, and one of his first as a lead. But Strong has been playing supporting roles in Hollywood for years. He has worked with incredible directors, who might have seen all the talent and commitment Strong brings to each of his characters.
BeforeSuccession,he had worked with Steven Spielberg inLincoln,Kathryn Bigelow inZero Dark Thirty,Ava DuVernay inSelma, and Adam McKay inThe Big Short.McKay is one of the producers ofSuccessionso that probably was one of the reasons they knew Strong could make wonders with the character of Kendall Roy.
Related:Succession: The 10 Best Episodes of the HBO TV Series, Ranked
Since starring in the show that catapulted him into the limelight, Strong has found himself playing a social activist in Aaron Sorkin’s Netflix original film,The Trial of the Chicago 7,and another billionaire in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 action-comedy,The Gentlemen.His most recent role also saw him work alongside an acclaimed director: James Gray in the filmArmaggedon Time.While the film as a whole received generally mixed reviews from critics, Strong’s performance was seen as a highlight by many.
Strong’s next screen role will see himplay a 9/11 first responderinThe Best of Us,which he is also set to produce.
SuccessionbroughtBrian Coxrenewed fame, introducing his enviable acting talents to a whole new generation of viewers in the form of Roy’s family patriarch, Logan. The foul-mouthed media tycoon was originally supposed to be killed off early in the first season; however, the show’s creator, Jesse Armstrong, was so impressed by Cox’s performance that he rewrote the scripts to ensure Logan stuck around for a lot longer.
ThoughSuccessionis a drama where allegiances can change at the drop of a hat, it’s hard not to view Logan as the show’s ultimate villain, and Brian Cox has a lot of experience playing villains. Before his role in the show, Cox was already a known quantity in Hollywood, having played more than 200 characters over the course of a 50-year career, a large majority of which were baddies. His most notable roles include evil scientist William Stryker, inX2: X-Men United,Ward Abbot in theBournefilms, and Hannibal Lector in 1986’sManhunter.Additionally, he has also starred inTroyas Agamemnon andRise of the Planet of the Apesas John Landon.
Beyond Succession, Cox is slated to voice a character-animated fantasyThe Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, which is due to be released in April 2024.
Sarah Snook
Australian actressSarah Snookhas been a revelation as Shiv Roy. She’s the most capable, smartest, and savviest of the siblings, but she has two problems: she doesn’t know how to swim in the corporate world, and her father doesn’t want her to be the boss. Snook has played Shiv’s character beautifully, always showing she believes she’s doing everything for the greater good and being the best sibling, and while all that might be true, she also shows how she has gigantic blind spots (especially in her marriage), and her frustrations as the corporate world don’t work as a meritocracy.
Snook’s career beforeSuccessionwasn’t the longest, although she had a run on the West End with Ralph Fiennes on a production of Ibsen’s titledThe Master Builderand appeared twice in movies with Kate Winslet: in Danny Boyle’sJobsandThe Dressmaker.SinceSuccession, she has been getting more roles, including the lead in Netflix’s psychological horror,Run Rabbit Run,and a part in upcoming comedy-drama,The Beanie Bubble.2023 has certainly been a good year for Snook, and it’s exciting to see what she does next.
Kieran Culkin
Roman Roy might be the most incompetent, ambitious, damaged, sensitive,snarky sibling of all the Roys; always ready with a hurtful joke, an inappropriate comment, and something to mess up. And yet, he’s still falling upwards. It’s a tricky character to play, and it wouldn’t work at all withoutKieran Culkin. The actor started his career as a child actor in his brother’s movies, such as Home Alone andHome Alone 2: Lost in New York.With time, he started making a name for himself, and although he’ll always be Macaulay Culkin’s brother, he has managed to crawl out of the shadow of his older sibling’s success. Be it as a sardonic teenager inIgby Does Down,Steve Martin’s son in theFather of the Bridefilms, or Michael Cera’s wingman inScott Pilgrim vs. the World, Culkin has proven time and time again he has the versatility to be regarded as a truly great actor in his own right.
AboutScott Pilgrim vs. the World,Culkin told Edgar Wright and The Guardian: “I’m so proud of that film. It’s not only one of my favorite projects I’ve ever worked on, but it also led to lasting friendships, like with you and [cast mate] Michael Cera.”
Connor Roy is the family’s black sheep. From a previous marriage, he’s always on the outside, to the point that when his younger brother Kendall says he’s the firstborn, no one corrects him. The character could be a one-note joke, butAlan Ruckhas imbued him with some graciousness and soul, even if his plans to be President don’t make any sense. Ruck has had a long career, and for most people, he’sCameron, Ferris Bueller’s best friendinFerris Bueller’s Day Off. He did that role when he was thirty, but he still captured the awkward, insecure teenager vibe. He was also one of the leads on Michael J. Fox’s TV show, Spin City, and had memorable roles in nineties blockbustersTwisterandSpeed.
Succession has led to renewed interest in the actor, with upcoming roles including a part in Amazon’s soon-to-be-released legal drama,The Burial,and a main role in neo-Western,Wind River: The Next Chapter.
Nicholas Braun
Nicholas Braunplays awkward cousin Greg (aka “Greg the Egg”) to perfection. He’s learning how the corporate world works and is starting to get some money of his own, while still making us laugh with the most strange, silly observations. His chemistry with Tom is incredible, and they make the not-so-secret best combination of the whole show. This is Braun’s breakout role, although not his first. He was a superhero in the kids' movieSky High, was inThe Perks of Being a Wallflower,and on the TV showFriend Me.
SinceSuccessionstarted, he’s getting a lot more opportunities, fromZolatoDocumentary Now!and he even appeared onThe Simpsonsas cousin Greg.With multiple Emmy Award nominations now under his belt, it’s safe to say Braun won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Matthew Macfayden
Tom Wambsgams startedSuccessionas a joke: the incompetent boyfriend of Shiv, who was always a yes man, trying to ingratiate himself to Logan Roy for any opportunities to get a big job in the family’s business. During the last three seasons,Matthew Macfayden’s character learned how to work the system, who to trust, and he even started to speak up for himself in front of his now-wife. This evolution wouldn’t have been possible without someone with Macfayden’s talents, as he’s able to sell us a pathetic, insecure person, and still make us like him. His scenes with Nicholas Braun are legendary, and it’s impossible not to laugh at their exchanges, as they compliment one another perfectly.
BeforeSuccession,MacFayden had a long career in Britain, both in movies and TV, where he played Athos in the Paul W.S. Anderson version ofThe Three Musketeers,was Det. Insp. Edmund Reid inRipper Street,and, especially, Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright’sPride & Prejudice.About that film,Macfayden told Indiewire: “I didn’t feel very Mr. Darcy–ish,” he said. “I felt like a bit of a middle-aged dad.”
MacFayden has been cast in an unknown role in upcoming superhero sequel,Deadpool 3,which will hopefully give him the chance to show off the excellent comic timing skills he demonstrated throughoutSuccession’srun.
J. Smith-Cameron
As Gerri Kellman,J. Smith-Cameronis Logan’s calm and level-headed right-hand woman who’s usually the one left to pick up the pieces after yet another Roy family catastrophe. Shiv’s godmother and the object of Roman’s disturbing desires, Gerri is a steady hand and often the only person speaking any sense. Why she continues to stay loyal to the Roy clan is anybody’s guess; she’s smarter and better at her job than any of Logan’s children. Indeed, some of Gerri’s best moments are when she’s rolling her eyes at the prospect of yet another mess she’ll have to clean up.
Related:Succession: What Makes the Characters So Fascinating
Like others among main cast, J. Smith-Cameron is a face many people might have recognized prior to her role on the show, but only recently has she become a household name. Her previous credits include a lead role in Sundance TV drama,Rectifyand guest appearances inTrue Blood, Law & Order, The Good Wife,and Spin City. Smith-Cameron has also had a long career in theater, appearing in a total of 40 productions since 1982. Her next role will be in the film adaptation of John Green’s novel,Turtles All the Way Down.
James Cromwell
Logan’s brother, Ewan, is his exact antithesis. Though the two originally started the company that would later become Waystar Royco together, Ewan wants little to do with it, instead preferring to live a quiet and simple life in Canada. He also despises Logan and all that he stands for. It was important, then, for the character of Ewan to be played by someone of equal caliber to Logan’s Brian Cox, andJames Cromwellwas the perfect choice.
Related:Succession: 11 Other Movies and TV Shows from Creator Jesse Armstrong to Watch Next
Cromwell, like Cox, has enjoyed a long career in film and TV. Some of his most famous roles include Farmer Arthur Hoggett in George Miller’sBabeand its 1998 sequel, Dr. Zefram Cochrane inStar Trek: First Contact,Dr. Alfred Lanning inI, Robot, and Clifton in Oscar Winning film,The Artist.Meanwhile, he played Ruth’s second husband, George, in the HBO drama,Six Feet Under.He is set to star alongside Colin Farrell in upcoming Apple TV+ sci-fi TV series,Sugar.
Alexander Skarsgard
Alexander Skarsgard’s braggadocio tech giant, Lukas Mattsson, was a late addition to the show. Though he only appeared as a recurring character inSuccession’sthird season, he went on to be promoted to a main player in season four, where he certainly left his mark. Mattsson serves as the show’s antagonist, constantly making things difficult for the Roy children, particularly Kendall and Roman. He is unpredictable and likes to cause drama, yet is always one step ahead of his rivals. Skargaard brings a touch of charming Swedish eccentricity to the role, even if the character is an unpleasant person with abhorrent views.
Hailing from the famous Skarsgard acting dynasty that also consists of father Stellan, and brothers Gustaf, Bill, and Valter, Alexander has been making a name for himself since the early 2000s. He is most famous for his role as Eric Northman on the hit HBO seriesTrue Blood. He was the leading man inThe Legend of Tarzan, Battleship, Godzilla Vs. Kong,andThe Northman,with his performance in the latter garnering critical acclaim. He has also had roles in bothZoolandermovies and is set to appear in the upcoming biographical featureLee,which is due to be released later this year.
