HBOs Succession: what will the future hold for the Roy family as award-winning series is set to conclude

From the moment it hit HBO screens back in 2018, the dark-comedy Succession has been a rating and critical success throughout its three seasons. Focused on the shady business dealings of a media empire as it navigates through hostile takeovers and acquisitions, the series was more about the familial struggles with expectations, relationships and trust.

We last left the Roy family in the middle of a takeover from a business that, throughout Season Three, they were trying to acquire instead. The tension between the Roy patriarch Logan and his sometimes prodigal, other times hopeless son Kendall was ramped up, while the devious Logan went to extreme lengths, on a wedding day no less, to ensure his survival as head of WayStar RoyCo - even if that meant cutting off his children.

But when news emerged that the fourth season of Succession would be it’s last, it led to some worried audiences pondering what would become of the cast once the show is finished. While some of the performers have an esteemed careers already, such as Brian Cox and his body of film, television and theatrical work, others wondered what would happen to the likes of Kieran Culkin and Matthew McFayden, both of which undergoing career resurgences by virtue of Jesse Armstrong’s quick, sharp script.

With reports also that Brian Cox found co-star Jeremy Strong’s approach to acting annoying at times (but admitted also Strong’s performances were wonderful), would that be enough to put off casting directors if indeed Strong’s approach is a little excessive; the actor is known to employ “identity diffusion” for each of his characters which has led at times to concerns of his well being.

Peopleworld takes a look at the most immediate members of the Roy family, and what we know so far about life after Succession comes to its dramatic finale.

Brian Cox (Logan Roy)

The much-tenured Brian Cox has, as mentioned, an incredible body of work throughout the decades since becoming a professional actor. Cox could go on to smaller roles in films once again or move on to another television series now he’s demonstrated his theatrical prowess can be parlayed into the small screen. We secretly hope he goes back and treads the boards a little, given his extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre.

But instead, it looks like Cox will be more involved in voice acting roles in the future, with the actor cast in both The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim as Helm Hammerhand and Anthony and Joe Russo’s adaption of the graphic novel The Electric State - both of which schedules for 2024 releases.

Jeremy Strong (Kendall Roy)

Jeremy Strong is continuing to pick up interesting, character-driven roles for his next two projects it would seem. He’s currently filming Bradley Cooper’s latest directorial effort, Maestro, based on the life of Leonard Bernstein, who worked as a conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian.

Strong is set to play the French-born American art critic John Gruen, in what is set to be another role for Strong to dissipate into given his acting methods. He is also set to return to the small screens also with The Best of Us - a limited series that will explore the human fallout of September 11th with its rain of debris and toxic dust.

Sarah Snook (Siobhan “Shiv” Roy)

Snook has already started to chart her career further in light of Succession coming to an end - she’s been involved with productions in her birth nation of Australia, lending her voice to Australian-American superhero animated sitcom Koala Man, which debuted in January this year and Run Rabbit Run - a 2023 Australian psychological horror film directed by Daina Reid, starring Sarah Snook and Greta Scacchi.

As for what’s next? No one knows - she’s not been cast into any new productions, but perhaps if Koala Man continues its success, she might remain working in Australia which has a rich cinematic history of its own.

Kieran Culkin (Roman Roy)

Unlike his siblings Macaulay and Rory Culkin, Kieran has seemed content with a career that has seen him pick up roles here and there but always managing to make an indelible impression with his roles. See; Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Todd Solondz’s Wiener-Dog and his breakout role in Igby Goes Down.

IMDB has suggested that nothing is set in stone for Culkin, which is sad given how magnificent he has been playing the smart-mouthed, yet fragile Roman Roy in Succession. File Kieran Culkin’s next move under “wait and see.”

Alan Ruck (Connor Roy)

The man who Ferris Bueller intimidated into joining in with his day off, Alan Ruck has had almost as seasoned of a career in television and film as Brian Cox. Many will remember Alan Ruck’s proxy work with the 80s Brat Pack - appearing in the Rob Lowe/Andrew McCarthy comedy Class and then as Cameron Frye in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Ruck is set to appear in the film The Burial, alongside Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones, which is based on the real story of lawyer Willie E. Gary and his client Jeremiah Joseph O’Keefe’s lawsuit against the Loewen funeral company, as documented in the 1999 New Yorker article of the same name.

The film is currently in post-production, however a date of release had not been set yet.

Matthew Macfayden (Tom Wambsgans)

Mr. Darcy broke bad, when Matthew Macfayden joined Succession to play the scheming, if not still very likable fiance to Shiv Roy, Tom Wambsgans. Anglophiles were delighted to see Macfayden garner a prominent role in the HBO series. But again, much like Kieran Culkin, there have been no definitive plans for what Macfayden is set to do after the culmination of Succession.

Maybe we can all start a rumour for Macfayden to become a favourite to take over the James Bond role - given how devout of a following he has cultivated since his role in 2005’s film adaption of Pride and Prejudice.

Season 4 of Succession begins on Sky Atlantic on March 27 2023. All episodes from the last three seasons are available for catch-up on NOW TV.