Masters of the house
On the eve of a new season of Succession and the cut-throat Roy family, here are 10 of our favourite fictional TV families who have mesmerised us with their fabulous wealth, glamorous lifestyle and unabashed ambition.
THE CARRINGTONS
( Dynasty, Netflix): There have been two incarnations of billionaire Blake Carrington and his scheming wives and kids. The first aired in the 1980s, with Joan Collins and Linda Evans playing his duelling love interests. The 2017 reboot cast Nicolette Sheridan ( Desperate Housewives) in the role made famous by Collins.
THE LANNISTERS ( GameOf Thrones, Binge): When it comes to ruthless ambition, they don’t make them much more cut-throat than this group. Together, patriarch Tywin, twins Jaime (Nikolaj CosterWaldau) and Cersei (Lena Headey), black sheep Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and grandson King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) – the product of incest – make life in Westeros a living hell.
THE BLUTHS ( Arrested Development, Disney+):
When their wealthy father (Jeffrey Tambor) is exposed as a fraud, dependable Michael (Jason Bateman), spoiled Lindsay (Portia de Rossi), magician Gob (Will Arnett) and simpleton Buster (Tony Hale) and their extravagant mother Lucille (Jessica Walter) struggle to adjust to a simpler life.
THE EWINGS ( Dallas, iTunes): Stetson-clad oil tycoon JR (Larry Hagman) became this popular soap’s breakout character thanks to his scheming, and the 1980 series cliffhanger “Who shot JR?” became one of the most talked-about mysteries in TV history.
THE FORRESTERS ( TheBold AndTheBeautiful, Network 10): Fashion designer Eric (John McCook) and his kids – Ridge, Thorne, Kristen, Felicia, Rick, Bridget and Marcus – have all been in the family business.
THE CRAWLEYS ( Downton Abbey, Amazon Prime): For generations, this clan has held the title Earl of Grantham and the deeds to the impressive Downton Abbey estate. But with three daughters and no sons, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) has no heir, leading male relatives to stake their claim.
THE WINDSORS ( TheCrown, Netflix): Not exactly a fictional family, but there’s no doubting the power-wielding royals – as showcased in this historical drama – are contenders for best TV dynasty.
THE LYONS ( Empire, Disney+): It gets ugly when Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) pits his kids against each other to take over his hip-hop label. Complicating things further is Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) – Lucious’ estranged wife – who has just been released from prison and wants to seize control of the empire.
THE BASS FAMILY ( Gossip Girl, Binge): Self-made billionaire Bart (Robert John Burke) and his son Chuck (Ed Westwick) are TV’s ultimate bad boys. Always impeccably dressed, Chuck is a playboy with a bad attitude.
THE GRAYSONS ( Revenge, Stan): Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) arrives in the Hamptons to exact revenge on its most powerful family, the Graysons, for framing her father for treason. But she has her work cut out for her going up against queen bee Victoria (Madeleine Stowe).