Wikipedia

Succession season 3

The third season of the American satirical comedy-drama television series Succession premiered on HBO on October 17, 2021. Series creator Jesse Armstrong serves as the showrunner for the season. The series centers on the Roy family, the owners of global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, and their fight for control of the company amidst uncertainty about the health of the family's patriarch.

Succession
Season 3
Promotional poster
ShowrunnerJesse Armstrong
Starring
No. of episodes9
Release
Original networkHBO
Original releaseOctober 17 (2021-10-17) –
December 12, 2021 (2021-12-12)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The season features an ensemble cast of Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Dagmara Domińczyk, Peter Friedman, Matthew Macfadyen, Alan Ruck, J. Smith-Cameron, Sarah Snook and Jeremy Strong, who all return from the previous season, with Hiam Abbass and Arian Moayed only returning in a recurring capacity. Justine Lupe, David Rasche and Fisher Stevens were promoted to the main cast for the season after featuring in recurring roles in the previous season.

In August 2019, HBO renewed Succession for a third season, which had begun filming by December 2020 in New York City. In June 2021, filming for the final two episodes took place in Tuscany. The season consists of nine episodes, a decrease from the previous season, which had ten, and the lowest episode count in the series. The season received critical acclaim. It was nominated for 25 Primetime Emmy Awards, and received four wins, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Macfadyen, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Armstrong. The season broke the record for the most acting nominations in a single year, with 14.

Cast and characters

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Main article: List of Succession characters

Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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Episodes

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Main article: List of Succession episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
211"Secession"Mark MylodJesse ArmstrongOctober 17, 2021 (2021-10-17)0.564[1]
Picking up immediately after Kendall's press conference, Logan decides to split his inner circle into two teams: he, Tom, Karl, Frank and Hugo station themselves in Sarajevo to avoid being extradited to the U.S., while Roman, Gerri and Shiv are sent back to New York. Logan informs his team that he intends to temporarily step back as CEO; the family and company management debate who should take his place as a figurehead. Kendall, meanwhile, sets up a temporary base of operations at Rava's apartment, and hires two PR consultants to help steward his public image. He unsuccessfully attempts to sway more of Waystar's senior cadre to his side. Shiv attempts to acquire representation for Waystar from Lisa Arthur, a high-profile New York attorney and personal friend, but realizes Kendall has already hired her. In light of Shiv's perceived failure, Gerri is named interim CEO.
222"Mass in Time of War"Mark MylodJesse ArmstrongOctober 24, 2021 (2021-10-24)0.520[2]
Shiv, Roman, and Connor covertly meet with Kendall, who refuses to compromise and attempts to persuade his siblings to join him. However, the discussion falls apart when Kendall declares that he will be CEO under their new arrangement. Seeing no personal benefit from siding with Kendall, the three siblings ultimately decide to remain aligned with Logan. Kendall additionally meets with Stewy and Sandi Furness (Sandy's daughter) to propose a partnership ahead of the company's shareholder meeting, but they remain skeptical. Greg obtains legal representation from Ewan's attorney. Logan has Marcia flown in to Sarajevo after his legal team advises that the two publicly appear reconciled. Marcia, disgruntled over Logan's infidelity, demands several assurances from the company to ensure her cooperation. Logan returns to New York and names Shiv President of Domestic Operations at Waystar, assuring her she is under Gerri's protection.
233"The Disruption"Cathy YanTed Cohen & Georgia PritchettOctober 31, 2021 (2021-10-31)0.405[3]
Both Kendall and Logan take steps to boost their respective public profiles. Logan refuses to cooperate with the Department of Justice's impending investigation, and attempts to pressure White House aide Michelle-Anne Vanderhoven into granting him favors from the President. Tom offers to take the fall by allowing himself to be incarcerated. Kendall sabotages Shiv's speech at a company town hall intended to allay employee grievances by having his assistants blast Nirvana's "Rape Me" from a speaker; an irate Shiv retaliates by publishing an open letter questioning Kendall's mental state, invoking his addiction issues and poor relationship with his children. Kendall prepares to make an appearance on a late-night comedy show that has been disparaging him, but backs out at the last minute after Shiv's letter goes online, deeply shaken by its contents. The FBI raid Waystar's offices, forcing Logan to cooperate.
244"Lion in the Meadow"Shari Springer Berman & Robert PulciniJon BrownNovember 7, 2021 (2021-11-07)0.484[4]
On Logan's orders, Shiv gets ATN to cover the White House more critically, in hopes of pressuring the President into curtailing the DOJ investigation. However, she finds that she is receiving little respect or support either from within the company or from Logan. Tom begins to unravel over his growing fear of going to prison. Greg informs him he has signed a joint defense agreement with Waystar after meeting with Logan. Shareholder Josh Aaronson requests a meeting with Logan and Kendall, worried that their conflict will endanger his investment, and leads them on a walk around his private island to hear each side's arguments. However, Kendall and Logan fail to present a united front, and Logan suffers from exhaustion on the walk back to Josh's mansion, refusing help until he nearly collapses. Kendall is later informed that Josh has lost confidence in Waystar's current leadership, and witnesses him meeting with Stewy.
255"Retired Janitors of Idaho"Kevin BrayTony Roche & Susan Soon He StantonNovember 14, 2021 (2021-11-14)0.584[5]
At the Waystar RoyCo annual shareholder meeting, both Kendall and Logan's factions attempt to broker a settlement with Stewy and Sandi (largely negotiating on behalf of her ailing father), realizing that going to a vote would almost certainly deprive the Roys of their majority stake in the company. Logan, who is suffering from a urinary tract infection, initially refuses Sandy's terms, but becomes increasingly incoherent, forcing the other children and senior management to negotiate on his behalf. The vote is stalled while Shiv and Sandi manage to reach a deal offering either side an additional board seat; the two sides agree on the terms without waiting for an incapacitated Logan to approve. Ewan decides to donate his entire estate to Greenpeace, leaving Greg with no inheritance. The President calls the Roys to announce that he will not be seeking a second term amid the blowback from ATN's attacks, jeopardizing Waystar's political survival.
266"What It Takes"Andrij ParekhWill TracyNovember 21, 2021 (2021-11-21)0.525[6]
Kendall's testimony to the DOJ regarding the cruises scandal goes poorly, and Lisa warns that the documents he has retrieved are insufficient legal ammunition against Waystar. An unsatisfied Kendall dispenses with Lisa's services and hires new attorneys. Meanwhile, the rest of the Roys travel to Richmond, Virginia to attend the Future Freedom Summit, a conservative political fundraiser, to pick a new presidential candidate in the upcoming election. While there, Roman learns that his mother is getting married in Tuscany to British CEO Peter Munion. Kendall arrives in Virginia and privately meets with Tom in an attempt to sway him to his side, but Tom refuses, believing Kendall will once again lose to his father. Among the presidential candidates, Roman takes a liking to Jeryd Mencken, a controversial figure with fascist leanings, who he believes will significantly boost ATN's ratings. Logan decides to back Mencken despite Shiv's protests.
277"Too Much Birthday"Lorene ScafariaGeorgia Pritchett & Tony RocheNovember 28, 2021 (2021-11-28)0.645[7]
The company receives word that the DOJ investigation is weakening and will likely end in a settlement. Tom is deeply relieved to be avoiding prison time. Logan, who has been working to acquire streaming giant GoJo, learns that its CEO, Lukas Matsson, declined to meet him personally. Shiv and Roman attend Kendall's lavish 40th birthday party to negotiate with Matsson, who is in attendance. Roman delivers his and Logan's gift to Kendall: an offer to buy out his shares in Waystar for $2 billion. Shiv is angered when she learns she has been excluded as a beneficiary. Roman meets with Matsson alone and proposes that Waystar buy GoJo without Matsson ever having to report directly to Logan; Matsson expresses guarded interest. Kendall, feeling hurt by the buyout offer and embarrassed with the hollow excess of the party, has an emotional breakdown while searching for his children's gift and has Naomi take him home.
288"Chiantishire"Mark MylodJesse ArmstrongDecember 5, 2021 (2021-12-05)0.613[8]
The Roys travel to Tuscany for Caroline's wedding. Kendall demands a sit-down with Logan over dinner, where he requests taking the $2 billion buyout to permanently uncouple himself from his "evil" father, but Logan refuses. Caroline admits to Shiv she never wanted children and encourages Shiv not to bear one of her own; out of spite, Shiv asks to have a child with Tom, but tells him before sex that she does not love him, later passing it off as foreplay. GoJo's stock price soars after Matsson sends a tweet suggesting he has received major financing; Roman goes to meet him and discovers that Matsson is interested in a merger of equals with Waystar rather than an acquisition. Logan accepts the renewed terms, but Waystar's meeting with GoJo's bankers is derailed when Roman mistakenly sends a photo of his penis to Logan instead of Gerri. Kendall drunkenly floats facedown in his pool, and slowly lets his head sink into the water.
299"All the Bells Say"Mark MylodJesse ArmstrongDecember 12, 2021 (2021-12-12)0.634[9]
Kendall is saved from drowning in his pool. GoJo's market capitalization overtakes Waystar's; Logan and Roman go to meet Matsson, who proposes that GoJo acquire Waystar with him as CEO while Logan exits with a settlement. Roman is sent back to attend Caroline's wedding, where he and Shiv discover that Logan has decided to sell the company without their input, jeopardizing the children's chances of succeeding him. They tell Kendall, who breaks down and tearfully admits his involvement in Doddy's death, only to be met with support from them to his surprise. The three recall a clause in Logan and Caroline's divorce settlement granting the children veto power over any change in company control, and decide to face their father together. On the way, Shiv informs Tom, who cryptically offers Greg a chance at significant ascension within the company. Upon being confronted by his children, Logan informs them that he and Caroline have renegotiated their divorce agreement, effectively depriving the children of company control. Tom is revealed to have tipped off Logan about the Roy siblings’ revolt.

Production

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Development

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On August 20, 2019, following the premiere of the second season, HBO renewed Succession for a third season. The season consists of nine episodes, a decrease from the previous season.[10] On March 28, 2020, HBO announced the third season's production was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Casting

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Justine Lupe and Fisher Stevens were promoted to the main cast for the season.

All main cast members return from the previous season, excluding Rob Yang, with Hiam Abbass and Arian Moayed only appears in a recurring capacity. Justine Lupe, David Rasche and Fisher Stevens, who previously starred in recurring roles, were promoted to the main cast for the season. In January 2021, it was announced Sanaa Lathan, Linda Emond and Jihae had joined the cast of the series in recurring roles in the third season.[12] In February 2021, it was reported that Hope Davis was cast in a recurring role in the third season.[13] In March 2021, Dasha Nekrasova was reported to have a recurring role in the third season.[14] In May 2021, Alexander Skarsgård was cast in a recurring role while Adrien Brody was cast to guest star for the third season.[15][16] In August 2021, it was announced Ella Rumpf would guest star in the third season.[17]

Filming

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Filming for the third season, which was slated to begin in April 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] In early November 2020, star Alan Ruck announced that filming would begin in mid-November in New York City.[19] The season had begun filming in New York as of December 2020.[20][21] Filming locations in the city included the Woolworth Building in Tribeca, The Shed in Hudson Yards, and a number of hotels including the Marriott Marquis in Times Square and the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Production also returned to the Hamptons, at locations including Montauk and Wainscott.[22] In May, additional filming for the season took place in Richmond, Virginia, primarily at the Jefferson Hotel.[23][24] In June, production on the third season moved to Italy for the final two episodes,[25][26] with filming primarily taking place in the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany – where a wedding reception was filmed at the estates La Foce and Villa Cetinale. Additional filming took place in other nearby comuni in the province of Siena – including Pienza, Montalcino and Chianciano Terme – as well as in Cortona, Lake Como, Milan, and Florence (the lattermost of which was used for establishing shots in the opening episodes).[27][26][23][28]

Release

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The season premiered on HBO on October 17, 2021, with episodes releasing weekly until the finale on December 12, 2021.[29]

Home media

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HBO released the third season on DVD on May 17, 2022.[30]

Reception

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Audience viewership

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The third season premiered to 1.4 million viewers across various platforms and ended with 1.7 million viewers across all viewing platforms, a record high for the series.[31][32]

Critical response

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The third season received critical acclaim. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 97% approval rating with an average rating of 9.3/10, based on 146 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Fans already buying what Succession is selling will be pleasantly surprised to find its third season in crackling form – even if it gets a little too real from time to time."[33] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 92 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[34]

Accolades

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Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Succession

Its third season received a leading 25 nominations with four wins at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards; including Outstanding Drama Series, Matthew Macfadyen for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and Jesse Armstrong for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (for the episode "All the Bells Say"). Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, Sarah Snook, James Cromwell, and Harriet Walter all received repeat nominations, while J. Smith-Cameron, Adrien Brody, Arian Moayed, Alexander Skarsgård, Hope Davis, and Sanaa Lathan all received acting nominations as well. The series also received three nominations for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.[35][36] The season broke the record for the most acting nominations in a single year, with 14.[37]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Credited as guest starring in the opening titles, unlike other guest stars.

References

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  1. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 19, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.17.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 26, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.24.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 2, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 10.31.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 9, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 16, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 23, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 1, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 11.28.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 7, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.5.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 14, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 12.12.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (August 20, 2019). "'Succession' Renewed For Season 3 By HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Gemmill, Allie (March 28, 2020). "HBO Delays Production on New 'Succession' & 'Barry' Seasons Over Coronavirus". Collider. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 14, 2021). "'Succession' Season 3 Adds Sanaa Lathan, Linda Emond, Jihae to Cast". Variety. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 22, 2021). "'Succession': Hope Davis To Recur As Sandy Furness' Daughter In Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  14. ^ Ritman, Alex (March 1, 2021). "Berlin Hidden Gem: Demonic Possession, Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein Collide in 'The Scary of Sixty-First'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2021). "'Succession' Season 3 Casts Alexander Skarsgård". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  16. ^ Petski, Denise (May 5, 2021). "'Succession': Adrien Brody Joins Season 3 Of HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Thorne, Will (August 5, 2021). "'Succession' Season 3 Adds 'Raw' Star Ella Rumpf (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  18. ^ Thorne, Will (August 7, 2020). "'Succession' Showrunner Hopes to Start Shooting Season 3 in New York Before Christmas (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  19. ^ Collis, Clark (November 6, 2020). "Succession star Alan Ruck says new season will start shooting this month". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  20. ^ Petski, Denise (December 9, 2020). "'Succession': Justine Lupe, David Rasche, Fisher Stevens Upped To Series Regulars For Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  21. ^ White, Peter (February 10, 2021). "HBO Plots 'Succession' Return & 'Barry' Is Safe Bet For Season 4 Renewal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  22. ^ Medd, James (September 17, 2021). "Where was Succession filmed?". CN Traveller. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Thackray, Lucy (October 19, 2021). "Where was season three of Succession filmed?". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  24. ^ Curran, Colleen (May 19, 2021). "Reports: HBO's 'Succession' filming around Richmond this week". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Kazi, Safeeyah (June 7, 2021). "'Succession' Season 3 Filming in Italy as Fans Eagerly Await HBO Show's Return". Newsweek. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  26. ^ a b Mead, Rebecca (August 23, 2021). "The Real C.E.O. of 'Succession'". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  27. ^ Harris, Hunter (August 20, 2021). "HBO's 'Succession': On Location With the Cast in Italy". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  28. ^ Surrey, Miles (December 5, 2021). "Sucking in Water: Breaking Down Episode 8 of 'Succession'". The Ringer. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  29. ^ Petski, Denise (September 13, 2021). "'Succession' Gets Season 3 Premiere Date On HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  30. ^ Miller, Thomas (March 1, 2022). "SUCCESSION Season 3 DVD Release Details". Seat42F. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  31. ^ Porter, Rick (October 18, 2021). "'Succession' Hits Series High Ratings With Season 3 Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  32. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (December 13, 2021). "'Succession' Finale Delivers 1.7 Million Viewers, Marks New Series High Viewership For HBO Drama". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Succession: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  34. ^ "Succession: Season 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  35. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  36. ^ Maas, Jennifer (September 12, 2022). "Emmy Awards 2022: The Complete Winners List". Variety. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  37. ^ Earl, William (July 12, 2022). "'Succession' Tops Emmy Nominations With 25 Nods, Breaks Record for Most Acting Nominations". Variety. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
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