Succession: The Main Characters, Ranked By Power | ScreenRant
If there's one thing at the center of the HBO series Succession, it's power. Nearly every central character in the series is driven by it, whether it's plotting to attain it, frantically trying to keep it, or using it to wield over those around them. In fact, most of the characters would measure their value in terms of their power.
This power could come in many different forms. It could be through politics, wealth, or social status but for the Roy family at the center of it all, the power often lies in who has control of their global media company, Waystar RoyCo. Still, regardless of who is positioned where in the company, some have power that others can't match.
9 Tom Wambsgans
Although he's easily one of the most entertaining people on the series, there's no question that Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen) lacks power. It makes sense that he wouldn't hold any against the Roy siblings since he merely married into the business that they were all born into.
Everyone from his wife Shiv to Logan to Roman loves picking on him. They even use him as the scapegoat during a particularly nasty trial and plan to do so at the end of season two until Kendall gets chosen instead. The really sad part is that Tom couldn't even maintain his power over Cousin Greg, who outsmarted him.
8 Greg Hirsch
Speaking of Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun), he is something of an enigma on the show. When he first arrives, he's a clear outsider who seems to not understand anything going on around him. However, it takes someone pretty cunning to infiltrate the world of the Roys.
He might play dumb but Greg managed to outmaneuver Tom and remain a step ahead of him while also getting close to some of the core family members. Kendall even compliments him for how he's made himself so valuable. He doesn't have a ton of power now but it wouldn't be shocking if Greg somehow came out on top at the end of it all.
7 Connor Roy
On paper, it would seem like Connor Roy (Alan Ruck) would line up as the successor to Logan. After all, Connor is the oldest son and in terms of shenanigans, seems to be less of a hassle than Kendall or Roman. He's also much easier to manipulate and mold.
Alas, Connor has chosen to remain out of family dealings. He wants nothing to do with the company and even shies away from conflict, often letting his siblings duke it out over important matters. That being said, he did run for President and if he wins, he'd have immense power.
6 Gerri Kellman
There aren't many outsiders let into the inner circle of the Roy family but Gerri Kellman (J. Smith-Cameron) seems to be the exception. In terms of family closeness, she is Shiv's Godmother and from a business standpoint, she is a counselor who Logan actually listens to.
Gerri knows how to play the game. She's meant to be on Kendall's side early on but as soon as things shift the other way, she flips back to Logan's side. Gerri is an important part of the team, though it's a wonder if that changes if anyone finds out about her relationship with Roman.
5 Marcia Roy
In the second season, it felt like Marcia Roy (Hiam Abbass) took something of a backseat from a storyline perspective. While that may be true, it doesn't really take all that much away from her power. Marcia may not own a specific bit of Waystar RoyCo but she has something even more important.
Marcia has Logan's ear. Sure, he sometimes will combat her but for the most part, Logan listens to his wife. She uses her pull to get a job at the company for her son and there's a reason Logan's kids don't trust her. She could cause major problems for all of them.
4 Roman Roy
Sharp as a tack and never having met a quip he didn't want to dish out, Romulus "Roman" Roy (Kieran Culkin) has proven himself to be a sly fox. Even with some past issues, Roman mostly wins back his father's trust and earns a key spot within the company.
That being said, he still comes off as too immature to make a true impact. Roman freaks out when the launch he was in charge of goes poorly and he's stunned to find out that Logan plotted something with Kendall instead of him. Clearly, Roman doesn't have his father's trust the way his other siblings do.
3 Kendall Roy
At the heart of the show is Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong). It's through his eyes that the audience sees most of the early scenes and at least in theory, he's right to try and get control from his father. Logan is making plenty of mistakes for his company and Kendall has a good head on his shoulders from a business standpoint.
However, Kendall is held back by his own insecurities. His past drug addiction and his constant need to live up to his dad and get his approval prevent him from being as powerful as he could be. Kendall's public calling out of Logan to end season two could mark a major change in this spot for him.
2 Shiv Roy
When it comes to Waystar RoyCo, Siobhan "Shiv" Roy (Sarah Snook) is a woman in a man's world. Her father is a dominating presence and her brothers are usually fighting to take control of the company. Early on, Shiv doesn't seem that interested in taking over, focusing on other avenues instead.
That changes when Logan suggests she take over for him down the line, though that feels like a ploy to control her more than anything else. Still, Shiv ranks high because she can play Tom like a fiddle, is tougher and smarter than her brothers, and even if the company stuff doesn't go her way, she has other ways to be successful.
1 Logan Roy
There really couldn't be another option. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) is the most powerful character in several ways. For starters, he's the patriarch of the Roy family. Even more importantly though, he's the billionaire founder of Waystar RoyCo, which gives him the ability to control everyone under him.
For proof of his power, all a viewer has to do is watch "Which Side Are You On?" The sixth episode of the show, it sees Kendall go through with the vote of no confidence against Logan. Even though everyone knows Kendall is right, Logan's choice to stay in the room for the vote and be the loudest voice intimidates the majority to side with him.
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