Summary
Over the last decade, no show has reached the acclaim and notoriety of the HBO classicSuccession, the family drama examining the combustible Roys and their multibillion-dollar media empire. Carried by itsingenious writing, terrific performances, and compelling storylines,Successionbecame the beacon for HBO after the ending of its behemothGame of Thrones. As Kendall, Roman, and Shiv Roy vied for their father Logan Roy’s CEO seat up top Waystar Royco, the show’s familial conflicts, comedic edge, and business jargon madeSuccessiondominate television during its brief but successful runtime.
DespiteSuccessionbeing a rare breed of drama and black comedy, several television shows share many similarities and aspects thatSuccessionaficionados may enjoy if theSuccessionitch still yearns for many.
A couple of years before the release ofSuccession,Billionsemerged asone of the most promising showsinvolved in the financial sector, providing intense theatrics and comedy. Lasting for eight years,Billionsfocuses on the rivalry between hedge fund powerhouse Bobby Axelrod and high-level attorney Chuck Rhoades as their animosity towards each other affects their work.
Taking place in the complex world of finance,Billions' infectious dialogue and introduction to its world makes for an entertaining ride, withSuccessionbuilding on many of the stand-out traits of the show.
Known for his long history of creating excellent television shows, Danny McBride continues to flash his comedic talents inThe Righteous Gemstones, the HBO comedy taking aim at televangelists. In the world of faith and spectacle, the Gemstones family preach the holy gospel despite living an extravagant lifestyle that goes against their teachings, with their family dynamic bringing forth many revelations.
Fueled by a dysfunctional and influential family,The Righteous Gemstones’balance betweencomedy sprinkled in with aspects of dramasees the show asSuccession-like, particularly with its HBO association.
Kickstarting the career ofSuccession’screator, Jesse Armstrong, was his stronginvolvement in the quintessential British comedyPeep Show, a show like any other due to its use of first-person. Following the lives of the idiotic flatmates Mark and Jeremy as they go about their days awkwardly getting by,Peep Show’sdistinct first-person storytelling allows for constant narration, giving a glimpse into the protagonists' minds and their intrusive thoughts whenever in a social situation.
Not only does thePeep Showmake many creative choices, unlike most shows, but the black comedy’s excellent comedic writing is reminiscent ofSuccession, with it being easy to Armstrong’s influence.
Often credited for starting the golden age of television,The Sopranoschanged how audiences viewed protagonists, with the show’s use of an antihero altering the course of television history. At the center of the innovative show was Tony Soprano, a mob bosswho succumbs to mental strugglesdue to the demands of his work and family life, with his therapy sessions giving an insight into a conflicted and corrupt individual television had never seen before.
While there are many parallels between Tony andSuccession’sKendall,The Sopranosprovided riveting television that touches upon the importance of family and the struggle for power within an environment full of snakes and sharks.
Perhaps TV’s biggest-ever show,Game of Thrones, revolutionized television and entertainment over the span of 9 years, bringing forth a fantasy world brimming with dynamic characters, rich lore, and dramatic twists that altered TV for the better. Headed up by House Stark, Lannister, and Targaryen, the fight for the Iron Throne turns bloody between major stakeholders. At the same time, the danger to the North threatens the land of Westeros, where the White Walkers slowly bolster their ranks.
In a George R.R. Martin-created world filled with dragons, magic, and gods, humanity’s biggest threat is themselves, asthe constant backstabbing and squabblingfor power comes to the forefront ofGame of Thrones, similar to aspects ofSuccession, albeit in a different setting.
Another one of Armstrong’s escapades before working onSuccessioncame as a writeron the widely renowned British classicThe Thick of It, a satire series based on British politics. Centering on Malcolm Tucker, an intimidating director of PR and communications for the UK government, and his team as they deal with the everyday chaos the job throws at them.
The Thick of It’ssatirical performances are headlined by Peter Capaldi’s electrifying performance as Tucker, with his delivery of snappy and vulgar dialogue showing similarities to characters like Logan Roy ofSuccession, with the influence ofThe Thick of Iton the HBO show being abundantly apparent.
WhileThe Thick of Ittackled UK politics, its creator went on to cross the Atlantic to developVeep, a US counterpart exploring America and its governmental system, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus holding the fort as its quirky protagonist. As the Vice President, Dreyfus' Selina Meyer operates as an aloof and chaotic senior figure, with her staff mirroring their boss' eclectic personality.
Touching upon governmental issues and policies alongside its prominent comedic elements,Veepwas a hit comedythat pushed the envelope of its genre, with aspects ofSuccession’ssatire, such as Greg Hirsch and Tom Wambsgans’s unusual relationship, being capable of fitting intoVeepand its essence.
Acting as a cross betweenSuccessionandEuphoria,Industryhas been scaling over the last few years, improving season by season as the British-based show follows the lives of young graduates beginning their journey at an investment bank. Set at Pierpoint & Co., the lives of graduates prove eventful as sex, drugs, feuds, and lucrative clients take hold of their young lives.
While many of the graduates possess ingenious or irredeemable qualities,Industry’sMVP is Eric, an explosive senior banker whose loudmouth antics and dirty tricks propel the individual to the upper echelon of HBO characters.Industry’saddictive nature is largely due to its witty and pulsating dialogue, akin toSuccession, acting asits natural successor on HBO.
