'Full beast mode': Succession stars promise 'more conniving, more manipulation' in new series

Following a bombshell finale at the end of series two, the long-awaited new season of Succession is finally here.

The award-winning and critically acclaimed satire follows the dramas of the dysfunctional Roy family and their control over the world’s biggest media company – with siblings Shiv (Sarah Snook), Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) constantly fighting over who will or won’t inherit the company from their mogul patriarch Logan (Brian Cox).

Two years on from the last episode of season two being broadcast, fans have eagerly awaited Succession‘s return – and reviews so far suggest it more than lives up to the anticipation.

Speaking to Sky News, Snook and Matthew Macfadyen, who plays Shiv’s long-suffering husband Tom Wambsgans, did not give much away about what to expect – but promised the Roys are in similar despicable form.

British star Macfadyen said fans can expect “more of the same… the same trajectory”, while Snook said the third series is “ramping it up, full beast mode… more conniving, more manipulations, more deciding where they stand”, and more of “that terrible family dynamic”.

Snook added: “Who wants to be in that family?”

Of course, Macfadyen’s character desperately wants to keep up with the Roy family.

“I want to be in the family very badly, and I want a lot of affection and respect, but I’m really scared of everybody,” he joked.

The Roys are often compared to the powerful Murdoch family, and the show explores themes of wealth and entitlement.

Everyone wants the top job, Snook said.

“That’s the thing with the Roys, they’ve always… that’s the deep, darkest secret, that they’ve always wanted the top job, really. And the moment it gets offered, no matter what they said before, all bets are off.”

Succession, created by Peep Show writer Jesse Armstrong, has picked up several Golden Globe and Emmy awards and is loved by fans and critics alike. Stars including Adrien Brody, Alexander Skarsgard and Hope Davis have joined the cast for series three.

Speaking about the show’s success, Macfadyen said: “When we shot the pilot and when we were the shooting the first season… you have an idea as an actor that it feels good and it feels interesting and funny and exciting and all the rest of it, and you realise the writing is brilliant, but you never really know how it’s going to sort of land in the culture. And so it’s really wonderful and gratifying and exciting.”

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The COVID-19 pandemic meant a delay for filming series three, but Snook said the “obstacle” was a good thing.

“To be honest, having an obstacle made it something to fight harder for, I think,” she said. “We all had to band together and double down on what we were doing and really invest in what we were doing. There was limited distraction because we were really bubbled up together and that, I think, worked for the benefit of the show.”

With the new season just released, there’s no hint of a fourth season just yet, but Snook teased that another series “would be lovely” and added: “I don’t know whether the story ever gets wrapped up.”

Later, she said: “How does the story end? It can only end when someone’s at the top – and does anyone get to the top of the Roy family?”

The third season of Succession is out now in the UK on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW

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