What Was The Cast Of 'Succession' Doing Before The Hit HBO Show?
It's officially Succession season, which means all eyes are glued to HBO and HBO Max on Sunday night. The Roy family premiered on television screens during their first season in 2018. Since then the show has skyrocketed amongst fans and viewership, making the season three premiere its biggest yet with 1.4 million viewers. According to Bloomberg, the 1.4 million viewers makes this season of Succession the most watched HBO original series to date.
Audiences can’t seem to get enough of the Roy family drama, following along the twists, turns, backstabs, and witty dialogue amongst the cast. Every actor on the show is known today for their roles on the popular show, but what were these actors doing prior to Succession? Here’s a look at what each cast member was doing before stepping into the Roy family saga.
7 Alan Ruck
If you’re tuning into Succession for the first time you may find the character of Connor Roy to be a very familiar looking actor. So called “Con-heads,” the endearing nickname in the Succession universe for fans of Connor Roy, may like him for his politics and taste in hyper decanting wine. But before Ruck landed the role as the eldest and least dramatic of the Roy children he was a well known actor from the 80’s. His most notable film character is Cameron Frye, who is the best friend of Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Ruck also starred in the ABC sitcom Spin City.
6 Matthew Macfayden
Before he married into the Roy family, actor Matthew Macfayden was best known for courting and marrying another famous woman. Macfayden played Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film adaption of Pride and Prejudice opposite Keira Knightley, who played the role of Elizabeth Bennet. Macfayden and Knightley also appeared in the film adaptation of Anna Karenina. Fans of Succesion are used to seeing Macfayden play the comedic role of Tom Wambsgans, but prior to the hit HBO show Macfayden was best known for his dramatic roles and period pieces. He is a trained London stage actor, working for theatre companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cheek by Jowl, and the Royal National Theatre.
5 Kieran Culkin
As a child actor, Kieran Culkin appeared in classic films like Father of the Bride, The Cider House Rules, and The Mighty. He famously starred alongside his brother, Macaulay Culkin, in Home Alone, playing his cousin Fuller McCallister. When Kieran appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden in August 2020, Kieran recounted that he didn't know what the plot of Home Alone was at the time, and that the film centered mainly around his brother. Kieran also has a popular fanbase amongst comic book lovers. He played Wallace Wells in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World opposite actor Michael Cera.
4 Nicholas Braun
The breakout star of Succession has been Nicholas Braun who plays Cousin Greg, aka "Greg The Egg," on the television show. Out of all the characters in the Roy family, Cousin Greg is the most likable, and serves as a somewhat moral compass that balances out the constant family backstabbing. After Braun's career took off post-Succession, he landed roles in indie films like Zola, and was crowned "sexy" by People Magazine. Prior to portraying Cousin Greg, Braun appeared in The Watch, Perks of Being A Wallflower, and How To Be Single. With Braun's new popularity there hasn't been any public news about his love life, however he still hangs out with his long time BFF Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
3 Jeremy Strong
Much of Succession's third season will focus on the fall out between Kendall Roy and his father Logan Roy. But before Jeremy Strong put on his expensive suits to play Kendall, Strong has appeared in other television shows and movies. Strong appeared in the movie The Big Short, directed by Adam McKay who is also an executive producer on Succession. No stranger to being on popular televsion shows, Strong appeared on Masters of Sex which aired on Showtime for five seasons. He has also had roles in films Zero Dark Thirty, Selma, and Lincoln.
2 Sarah Snook
The Australian actress Sarah Snook has flexed her acting talents in both comedies and dramas, prior to portraying Shiv Roy. She had a brief role in Seth Rogen's comedy American Pickle, as well as starring in Steve Jobs,Winchester, and The Dress Maker. And just like her co-star Matthew Macfayden she also has experience as a theatre actor. Snook made her West End debut in 2016 with actor Ralph Fiennes in a production of Ibsen's "The Master Builder."
1 Brian Cox
Brian Cox is a veteran actor, having appeared in multiple critically acclaimed films throughout his career. Before taking on the role as Logan Roy, the patriarchal figure of the Roy family and Waystar Royco empire, Cox depicted other powerful leaders. He played the role of Agamemnon in Troy, Winston Churchill in Churchill, and comic book villian William Stryker in X2: X-Men United.
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