Succession
The answer is full-out “Corporate Avengers: Civil War.” The action picks up in the immediate chaotic aftermath of that press conference, as Kendall and blindsided Logan scramble for power and allies. Strong’s fans make their presence known for the lovably loathsome underdog.
“I get a lot of Team Kendalls yelled at me on the street,” says Strong, 42, who bested his nominated screen dad Cox to win the 2020 best-actor Emmy, one of four big “Succession” wins including best drama, for the second season.
Emboldened Kendall hustles for Waystar shareholder support as the season takes off, including billionaire activist investor Josh Aaronson (Adrien Brody, who joins Alexander Skarsgård as Season 3 guest stars).
“But in my mind, it’s not a civil war,” says Strong. “In my mind, I’m already victorious. This is like post-Waterloo. I’ve defeated (Logan) with a single death blow.”
The rest of Kendall’s family never got that memo, as they all have their knives drawn. Or whatever weapon they can muster. During one gloriously venomous Season 3 moment, a spiteful Shiv discreetly spits in her brother’s book.
Snook enjoyed making that juicy moment as much as the audience is likely to swallow it up.
“I love seeing the Roys, in all their wealth and privilege, doing these base things,” says Snook. “It’s so animal and childish. But what does she have to get back at her brother? Nothing else, at that moment.”
Cox says the cast’s relationships are nothing like the backstabbers’ on screen. “We are actually quite giggly as a group,” he says. “We laugh at the audaciousness of all these characters, especially Logan.”
The veteran Royal Shakespeare Company actor says playing “King Lear” at London’s National Theatre and the first role as serial killer Hannibal Lecter, in 1986’s “Manhunter,” proved vital preparation for Logan.
And he enjoys his unexpected turn as McDonald’s voiceover pitchman, bringing the jarring sound of Logan Roy, not bellowing curses, but obscenely happy with a burger, to TVs across the country.
“I love the anomaly of a McDonald’s commercial juxtaposed with Logan Roy,” says Cox. “As my old pal would say, I’m following my calling and drawing my wages.”
The patriarch’s fortunes go in the opposite direction. He spends the season furiously trying to maintain control of the besieged corporation and avoid legal woes. His son-in-law, Shiv’s husband’s Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), prepares to go to prison.
Cox believes it’s the look into his screen family’s super-elite and equally terrible behavior that enthralls the schadenfreude-seeking audience.
“‘Succession’ is quite reassuring to people because they do see how hideous these people can be,” says Cox. He cautions that the dysfunctionality is more relatable than many would care to admit. “We all don’t want to realize when watching the show that there but by the grace of God, well, that could be anybody.”