Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
One of the first things that fans tend to point out in Kieran Culkin’s family dramaSuccessionis how hilarious it is. Be it the constant ‘F*ck Offs’ from Brian Cox’s Logan Roy or lead star Jeremy Strong’s cringy rap song about his on-screen father, the show has multiple memorable moments that lend itself to hilarity.
However, the debate is on about whetherSuccessionis a comedy or a drama (or a dramedy). Despite the funny instances, it is not along the same veins as say,HacksorAbbott Elementaryand has more dramatic conflicts than comedic. While fans have been debating this, actor Jeremy Strong reportedly even expressed the same to Culkin.
Kieran Culkin’s image ofSuccessionwas reportedly Jeremy Strong’s fear
When one seesKieran Culkinin his off-screen appearances, it is very hard to discern him from hisSuccessioncharacter Roman Roy. Irreverent and witty, the only difference one (thankfully) sees is that he is not as vile and s*x hungry as the second-youngest son of Logan Roy. However, even he reportedly consideredSuccessiona comedy.
“Success is the greatest aphrodisiac”: Brian Cox Didn’t Just Base Logan Roy on Rupert Murdoch, Took His Many Alleged Affairs for ‘Succession’ Too
On the contrary, lead starJeremy Strong, who played Kendall in the show, reportedly took the character very seriously and played him as such. This made the character and his antics (like the aforementioned rap performance) all the more hilarious. The ‘eldest boy’ works like a charm because Strong genuinely believes that he is.
Culkin mentioned that his co-star and on-screen big brother had come to him with fear. He said (viaThe New Yorker),
After the first season, he said something to me like, ‘I’m worried that people might think that the show is a comedy.’ And I said, ‘I think the show is a comedy.’ He thought I was kidding.
Strong is known to be extremely committed on set for his roles, includingstaying in character off-screento verify he gives a solid performance. He reportedly did not play the character as a comedic one and took him so seriously that it made him the perfect Kendall, who similarly takes himself too seriously and ends up being the joke.
While Kieran Culkin brands it as such, isSuccessionreally a comedy?
Successionat its core is a story of betrayal and corporate in-fighting at a time when an empire is at its most vulnerable. Many have called it Shakesperean, with executive producer Adam McKay even pitching the show as ‘King Lear’ in the context of the media industry. However, is it more on the lines ofHamletorAs You Like It?
Turns out, it is both. Many fans have come to the conclusion that it is a black comedy or a dramedy as opposed to a complete drama or a sitcom. While scenes between characters like Tom and Greg are hilarious in a pathetic kind of way, the internal conflict between theRoy siblings and their fatherlends itself to a lot of drama.
“First things that caused the Dance of the Dragons”: HBO Needs to Turn George R.R. Martin’s ‘Succession’ Story Based in Westeros a Reality
Fans have taken toRedditto debate about the show’s genre and many have chosen a middle ground.
Despite its genre being somewhat muddled between drama and comedy, the series is considered under the dramatic category for the awards. The show won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series thrice and all the acting and writing nominations have also been in the dramatic category (unlikeThe Bear).
Successionis available to stream on Max.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2417
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
