Real Reason You Rarely Saw ‘Succession’ Characters Enjoying Their Wealth, Writer Explains Genius Decision

Succession creator and head writer Jesse Armstrong explained how the Roy family’s complex relationship with wealth and power shaped the show.

Succession is a comedy-drama series that follows the Roys, a wealthy family that finds itself in a succession war over their conglomerate Waystar RoyCo. The series ran for four seasons and concluded in 2023. It received critical acclaim for its performances and themes, primarily its depiction of power and personal dynamics between a dysfunctional family.

During an interview, series creator Jesse Armstrong was asked about the show’s approach to its characters. Despite being set in the world of some of the richest people, the series refrained from depicting the Roys enjoying their wealth. Armstrong had a pretty good reason for this particular approach and here is what he had to say about the Roy family’s relationship with money.

Succession writer Jesse Armstrong explained why the series did not show the Roys enjoying their wealth

Jesse Armstrong created the HBO comedy-drama series Succession, which follows the Roy family as they battle to succeed their ailing patriarch Logan Roy, played by Brian Cox. The series also explores the Roy siblings’ interpersonal relationships and their bond with their father.

During an interview with The New York Times, Armstrong was asked about why the series does not depict the characters enjoying their wealth despite it being one of their defining character traits. In response, Armstrong admitted it was a conscious choice to avoid such a depiction of wealth.

We did make a decision that we would try not to glamorize the wealth. A lot of the spaces that these people inhabit, these five-star hotels and private plane interiors, it’s not actually a beautiful world. That came from the research.

Armstrong made the above statement, highlighting the bureaucracy, planning, and corporate politics that consume the lives of its main characters and prevent them from enjoying their wealth.

Furthermore, the head writer explained that the decision was made after a lot of research about the lives of wealthy people who are too busy to enjoy their wealth. However, Armstrong noted that the series did not imply that great wealth doesn’t bring happiness. Instead, that philosophy is simply true for the characters we follow and the world they inhabit.

Jesse Armstrong revealed if Succession was meant to make viewers sympathize with the Roys

In the same interview, Armstrong was asked whether the series’ approach to complex characters such as the Roys was meant to make viewers sympathize with them since their flaws and shortcomings are a key component of the narrative.

However, Armstrong denied the notion, explaining that drawing a particularly strong reaction from the viewers was never the goal. Armstrong stated:

It was never really a consideration. That may be a defect in our working process. Maybe I could try to elicit the audience’s sympathy for someone, but I wouldn’t want to with this show.

Furthermore, the Emmy Award-winning writer added that prompting a reaction from the audience would’ve felt fake.

Instead, Armstrong argued that the series was essentially about the Roy family’s interpersonal dynamics first and their relationship with power and money came second. As a result, most of the creative choices stemmed from furthering the narrative with this premise in mind. Therefore, Armstrong and his creative team stayed true to the characters, which is reflected in the show’s popularity and success.