HBO has confirmed the renewal of Succession for Season 2 after a successful 10-episode first season run that received favorable reviews from critics. The renewal came roughly a week after the series debuted, allowing viewers to enjoy the premiere season knowing that they wouldn’t have to say goodbye soon.
Succession explores the themes of power, politics, money, and family, through the lives of members of the dysfunctional Roy family led by the aging patriarch Logan Roy. The rich and powerful fictional family controls Waystar-Royco, one of the biggest family-controlled international media and entertainment conglomerates in the world.
Although Logan refuses to fully relinquish control of his media and entertainment conglomerate, his four children are anticipating his inevitable retirement and are positioning themselves for control.
‘Succession’ Renewed by HBO for Season 2 https://t.co/DBM0e6BFAY
— Variety (@Variety) June 11, 2018
Succession, so far a mix of drama and comedy, pulls its inspiration from the real-life circumstances of various major families that control the world’s top media and entertainment conglomerates, such as Rupert Murdoch, Robert Maxwell, and William Randolph Hearst’s families.
Many fans have also suggested that the plot could have been inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear.
The series stars Brian Cox as the Roy family patriarch Logan, while Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, and Sarah Snook play his four children.
Succession Season 1 signaled the tone that it aimed for with the second episode titled S**t Show at the F**k Factory.
The second episode drama unfolded mostly in the hospital. Logan was hospitalized after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. The cynical and acerbic family patriarch is not a particularly likable character and none of his children actually like him, although they compete for his attention and approval.
Loved playing the piano for HBO TV Drama 'Succession' earlier this year – episodes are airing on Sky Atlantic at the moment x #SuccessionHBO pic.twitter.com/WEMnnxqEMu
— Cat Delphi (@Cat_Delphi) October 18, 2018
Kendall, his drug-addicted son, tries to stage a hostile takeover of his father’s company but fails.
Fans can’t wait to see what happens to the Roy family in Season 2. Will the family been torn apart or manage to keep together based on the shared aspirations of power and wealth?
With Succession Season 2 in the works and with fans anticipating the return of Logan Roy and his wayward adult children in 2019, we address all the burning questions about the upcoming HBO series renewal: When will Season 2 premiere? Will the entire main cast return? When will the official trailer come out? And what will happen in Season 2?
Succession Season 2 premiere date
Although HBO has confirmed the renewal of the series for Season 2, a premiere date for the upcoming season has not been officially announced. But with production set to begin early next year, Season 2 is expected to debut in 2019.
If Season 2 follows the same schedule as Season 1, then it will likely debut in June 2019 or early summer.
Succession Season 2 details
Succession was created by the British screenwriter Jesse Armstrong, known for having written the famous Murdoch script that no one in Hollywood would touch. Although Armstrong’s Murdoch script earned widespread praise, no producer wanted to make it because it gave a very intimate look at the family of Rupert Murdoch, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
However, Succession was later produced for TV despite the fact that its plot and storyline appears similar to the black-listed script. But Armstrong vigorously denied the widespread perception that Succession is based on Rupert Murdoch and his family, who control 21st Century Fox/News Corp.
He insisted during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour in January that Succession was not about the Murdoch clan, but about a “fictional family.”
Showrunner Jesse Armstrong talks #Succession, the loyalties of the Roy children, and Season 2 plans. https://t.co/WWjaRahJcs
— Collider (@Collider) July 2, 2018
“This is a fictional family,” he said in an attempt to distance Succession from his Murdoch screenplay. “There are a lot of succession stories to draw on. We wanted to draw on all the good, rich stories there are about succession and about the high politics.”
Besides his notoriously black-listed Murdoch script, Armstrong is known for having written the screenplay for In the Loop (2009), a satirical British comedy film directed by Armando Iannucci. He is also known for co-creating and co-writing the British Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show (TV series 2013-2015), and the British comedy TV series The Thick Of It (2005-2012).
Armstrong said he was surprised at the favorable critical reviews Succession received.
“I wouldn’t have necessarily known that was how it would go,” he said. “It’s a show that has an unusual tone and I’m very happy about that.”
He added that the series was inspired by his interest in media conglomerates and the families that run them.
The series pilot was directed by Adam McKay, known for his work on the award-winning film The Big Short (2015).
Succession is executive produced by Armstrong and McKay, alongside Frank Rich, Will Ferrell, Kevin J. Messick, Mark Mylod and Jane Tranter.
Succession 2 trailer
The producers have not yet released a trailer for the upcoming Succession Season 2. But fans can expect to see the first teaser clips or a full official trailer early next year in spring.
We will update readers once Succession Season 2 trailer is released.
Meanwhile, enjoy the Succession Season 1 trailer below:
Succession Season 2 cast
The entire main cast for Succession Season 1 is expected to return for Succession Season 2. Succession Season 2 is expected to begin shooting in early 2019.
The cast for Succession Season 1 included Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Nicholas Braun, Hiam Abbass, Matthew Macfadyen, Natalie Gold, Peter Friedman, and Rob Yang.
The series stars Brian Cox as Logan Roy, known for his role as Jack Langrishe in Deadwood (TV series 2004-2006).
Gorgeous, sublime #MatthewMacfadyen #BritishActors #Actors #SuccessionHBO #RipperStreet #HowardsEnd #PrideAndPrejudice pic.twitter.com/vjKMG2ySJQ
— Matthew Macfadyen Team (@TeamMacfadyens) October 13, 2018
Other members of the original cast include Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy, Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy, Alan Ruck as Connor Roy, Sarah Snook as Siobhan “Shive” Roy, all being Logan’s children respectively.
Members of the original cast expected to reprise their roles in Succession Season 2 also include Hiam Abbass as Marcia Roy, Nicholas Braun as Greg Hirsch, and Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon, COO of Waystar-Royco.
Matthew Macfadyen plays Tom Wamsgans, Shiv’s fiancé, and Natalie Gold plays Rava Roy, Kendall’s estranged wife.
Succession Season 2 plot
Succession Season 2 plot details remain scanty but the new season will likely pick up where Season 1 left off. The series started off on June 3, 2018. The storyline and plot quickly gained steam as the season progressed through its 10-episode run and ended dramatically on Sunday, August 5.
Season 1 ran the gamut of intrigue and power play, with scheming, backstabbing, infidelity, rebellion, sabotage, and death, as the siblings competed for control of their father’s media conglomerate.
The season finale ended in a cringe-worthy moment of reconciliation between father and son.
After the surprises and shocks of the finale ending, fans are wondering what is next for the Roy family.
“We’ve got a very early shape [for Season 2] but it could change,” Armstrong told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think we’ll end up coming through on this.”
“I think if people are interested in going on the journey with us, we could go into the weeds a little bit, as long as we keep the character and family interrelationships, which are the heart of the show,” he added.
Armstrong also shared that Season 2 will continue to focus on the family’s dysfunctional interpersonal relations fueled by fighting for control over the family business.
Season 1 came to a surprising end for most fans. The season finale ended unexpectedly when Kendall broke down and cried in his dad’s arms.
#Succession #SuccessionHBO has already been renewed for Season 2 at HBO which makes me very happy. Check out my review for episode 2: https://t.co/uH4wYHIfGD pic.twitter.com/Qs4U96EPxz
— James Hancock (@colebrax) June 11, 2018
Kendall Roy, Logan’s second son from his second marriage, schemed to undermine his father and stage a hostile takeover of the company. However, in the season finale, he got into trouble through involvement in the death of a young waiter who went with him looking for cocaine during Shiv and Tom’s wedding.
While trying to avoid a collision with a deer, their car crashed into a lake and the waiter drowned. But Kendall scaped, and returned to the wedding as if nothing had happened.
Police investigators later tied him to the young waiter’s death. Logan found out and presented his son with a deal: If Kendall would abandon his nearly successful bid to take over the company he would help him cover up the young waiter’s death.
Starting a new week with our dear Tom Wamsgans! #MondayMotivatiion #MatthewMacfadyen #SuccessionHBO #Succession #Series #BritishActors #Actors #HBO pic.twitter.com/zBXKDIIeKF
— Matthew Macfadyen Team (@TeamMacfadyens) October 15, 2018
“This could be the defining moment of your life,” Logan told Kendall. “A rich kid kills a boy. You’d never be anything else.”
Kendall broke down and cried in his father’s arms.
“You’re my boy. You’re my number one boy,” Logan consoled him.
His father’s action put Kendall in debt and he was forced to abandon his plan for a hostile takeover of the company.
In an interview with Thrillist, Armstrong warned fans to expect major changes in Logan and Kendall’s relationship.
“We’re committed to this quite exciting new world where maybe Kendall and Logan become something of a unit for a while,” he said.
The forced reconciliation that happens at the end of the season… feels very natural,” he added. “That’s sort of what Kendall wants to do.”
“I don’t have all the answers for how we go forward from there but we have a bunch of them,” he continued. “One thing I know that’s real is that hug, and that desire to give in to power, to accept what feels inevitable.”
What follows the newfound love between the erstwhile rivals remains to be seen. No doubt Logan will try to use the situation to his advantage.