Game of Thronesfans didn’t have to wait long for a perfect replacement, asSuccessionpremiered whileGoTwas still on the air.Succession’s audience may have been much smaller thanGame of Thrones' record-breaking viewership, but it was a watercooler show for anyone who watched.
LikeGame of Thrones,the cast ofSuccessionwas made up of predominantly established actors who became household names thanks to starring in the HBO drama. In terms of awards success,Succession’s stars even outshoneGame of Thrones', as Jeremy Strong, Matthew Macfadyen, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook all took home Emmys for their performances, while Peter Dinklage was the onlyGoTstar to be honored.
Still, despite the lack of award wins for theGame of Thronescast, it will still hold onto its status as one of the greatest fantasy series of all time. However, it’s no secret that the show stumbled in its final years, particularly its last season, withGame of Thrones' endingconsidered a crashing disappointment. In that regard,Successionis far, far superior.
Succession Sees A Backstabbing Billionaire Family Vying For Control Of A Media Conglomerate
Just like how the entire premise ofGame of Thronesis the war for the Iron Throne, and thus control of Westeros,Successionsees three adult siblings fighting to take over Waystar Royco, their aging father’s giant media conglomerate. Though they aren’t royalty,Succession’s billionaire Roy familyis as powerful as any noble Westerosi house.
Kendall, Roman, and Shiv each believe Logan’s company should be theirs, similar to how Joffrey, Stannis, and Renly Baratheon all laid claims to the Iron Throne, igniting the War of the Five Kings. The difference is that throughout most ofSuccession, the Roy siblings are trying to curry favor with their father by undermining each other, rather than fighting a very public war.
Those who are partial to the evil Lannister family inGame of Throneswill find the Roys to be an embarrassment of backstabbing riches. Logan Roy is a cold and abusive Tywin-esque patriarch, and his children’s moral compasses are no better than Cersei’s or Jaime’s. And while none come close to matching Tyrion’s virtue, each Roy kid shows heartbreaking moments of vulnerability, adding complexity to their characters.
Succession’s Wars Were Waged In The Boardroom, Not On The Battlefield
Given thatSuccessionis a contemporary drama andGame of Thronesis a high-budget fantasy, do not expect the former to have the latter’s visual spectacle. IfGame of Thrones' epic battles, like the Battle of the Bastards or the Battle of Hardhome, are your favorite thing about the series, you may be disappointed inSuccession.
However,Succession’s psychological battles and bids for power can be every bit as intense and nail-biting. In season 1, Kendall attempts to stage a coup at Waystar Royco, and calls the company’s board for a vote of no confidence against Logan. The way the meeting plays out is every bit as heart-pulsing as anyGame of Thonesbattle, and that’s just the beginning.
Unlike Game Of Thrones, Succession Was Building Toward Its Ending The Whole Time
The reason whyGame of Thronesseason 8 was so badis simple — the show had progressed past the events of George R. R. Martin’s source material novel series,A Song of Ice and Fire. WhereasGame of Thrones' writers previously had meticulous, well-plotted books to adapt, they had to come up with their own ending, leading to an inevitable decline in quality.
ThoughA Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in theA Song of Ice and Fireseries, was published back in 2011,George R.R. Martin still doesn’t have an update on when book 6,The Winds of Winter, will be completed.
However,Successionis a wholly original series created by Jesse Armstrong, and thus its story was never beholden to any source material. What’s more,Successionaired for a lean four seasons, with each being arguably better than the last, and thus leaving no room for glut or filler.
It’s also obvious fromSuccession’s foreshadowing opening scene that Armstrong knew how the showwas going to end the entire time.TheSuccessionseries finalehas been hailed as one of the greatest in TV history, and it has everything that made peakGame of Thronesgreat: shifting alliances, brutal backstabbing, and one heck of a battle — though it’s, of course, in a boardroom.
Succession
Cast
Succession is a Black Comedy and Satire television show created by Jesse Armstrong. It stars Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, and Kieran Culkin and follows the story of an aging conglomerate owner as he deals with his declining health and the sudden realization that one of his children will soon inherit his position and run his company.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
