With the acclaimed HBO series Succession now over, viewers will likely be searching for their next television obsession. Succession ended its impressive run with its series finale that aired Sunday, May 28th after four outstanding seasons. The show was created by Jesse Armstrong and executive produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, among others. Succession concluded arguably at the peak of its popularity with its fourth and final season, although the believed series could have certainly continued its run into season 5 if Armstrong hadn't opted for its natural resolution with its 39th episode.
Succession is known for its portrayal of an ultra-wealthy family with themes of generational trauma, cutthroat business practices, and competitive sibling dynamics. The series is set against a backdrop of immense power and wealth which all its characters vied for throughout the series. Succession is a show about the lengths that high-profile people in business, politics, and media will go to achieve power or to hang onto it. By the end of the series, it was evident who won Succession but the exhaustive ploys of deception, betrayal, and corruption ultimately left no true victories. Here are ten additional shows to watch after Succession.
10 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game of Thrones is similar to Succession in its political themes and the pursuit of endless power by many of its characters. The show is centered around the contrast between loyalty and betrayal in similar ways to Succession. Another recurring theme in Game of Thrones is the significance of family, inheritance, and true bloodlines that determine the lineage of positions of power. The HBO show is another classic example of premier television in the modern era and would make a suitable follow-up to the expert plot, acting, and drama of Succession, even as a re-watch.
9 Yellowstone (2018-2023)
Yellowstone and Succession share similar traits of family loyalties, legacy, and corruption often associated with power. Both shows also belong to the elite category of prestigious drama series with robust stories that balance both heartwarming and sinister plot developments and characters. Yellowstone and Succession are also two of the most popular series on television over the last five years and both end in 2023. Similarly to Succession, Yellowstone is worth viewing simply for its mass appeal to American culture and the shared notion of the stakes and privilege that come with wealth.
8 Arrested Development (2003-2006, 2013-2019)
Arrested Development is most similar to the lighthearted qualities of Succession with its punchy, often hilarious dialogue. Even the documentary-style fly-on-the-wall cinematography style shares similarity with the look and feel of Succession's jolty and dynamic camerawork. Both television shows tell stories about dysfunctional wealthy families and offer social satire on upper-class members of society. Many characters in both series emphasize the significance of materialism and wealth as a justification to form their identities and gain a sense of belonging.
7 Peep Show (2003-2015)
Peep Show is another acclaimed television series created by Jesse Armstrong. While it's tonally very different from Succession, it is still a hilarious and unique show that employs innovative storytelling devices. The characters of Peep Show constantly break the fourth wall and talk straight into the camera, although they aren't talking to the viewer like in Fleabag or House of Cards. The camera represents the point-of-view of the character who is being spoken to, which alternates throughout each scene. It's a rare type of television show that is worth a watch for fans of Armstrong.
6 Industry (2020-)
Industry is similar to Succession in its high-profile corporate setting and its plot that is driven by workplace power struggles. Industry focuses on the intense inner world of banking in London which provides a similar feeling of exclusivity and behind-the-scenes negotiations that are constantly seen throughout Succession. Industry shares similar attributes to Succession including polished and complex characters, secrecy, deception, and betrayal. The show can also be watched on HBO or MAX just like Succession.
5 Billions (2016-)
Billions is another thematically comparable show to Succession that features similar plot elements of high-stakes business, immense wealth, ambitions of positions of power, and utilization of leverage. Billions also depicts themes of rivalries between characters, which is the core narrative element in Succession, and also dives into themes of wealth and privilege in a corporate setting. Billions is one of the most identical series to Succession, although it takes place in the world of finance and focuses more on hedge funds and legal battles than character development and family dynamics.
4 The Righteous Gemstones (2019-)
The Righteous Gemstones is a hilarious HBO comedy that shares traits with the comedic and satirical side of Succession. The show centers on a dysfunctional family who are the children of their father's massively successful televangelist megachurch. The show, created by Danny McBride, features great moments of humor between family members throughout that align more closely to the often hilarious interactions between the Roy kids on Succession. The Righteous Gemstones can also be streamed on HBO and MAX.
3 Bloodline (2015-2017)
Bloodline is a fantastic drama series about family tragedy and competition. Like Succession, Bloodline also features an outstanding ensemble cast with expert acting performances wrapped around a compelling plot in an atmospheric setting. Bloodline is more deeply rooted in the intimate relationships between the main family members than Succession is. It also focuses more on a rural yet serene landscape than a lavish yet soulless corporate backdrop. However, the exploration of guilt in both Succession and Bloodline is one of the strongest thematic links between the two acclaimed series.
2 House of Cards (2013-2018)
House of Cards carries a similar tone to Succession in its inner portrayal of the elite, powerful, and deceptive people in its industry. The show successfully explores the lives and minds of characters in American politics and their schemes for authority and sovereignty. Both Succession and House of Cards depict two ruthless men clinging to their thrones and enforcing their power to serve their best interests. While both Francis Underwood and Logan Roy are revered leaders in their industry, their larger-than-life figures overshadow a dark history of corruption, deception, and lust for control.
1 Mad Men (2007-2015)
Mad Men is an exceptional show that takes place inside the corporate world of advertising in the 1960s. While the overall tone of Mad Men differs greatly from Succession, the two series are pooled together by the masterful writing in character dialogue and an immersive plot. Both shows possess a rich and tasteful construction that does much to compel the viewer into the complicated lives of their fascinating, well-designed characters. Like Succession, it's easy to get sucked in by Mad Men's drama and superb acting. It is certainly worth a repeat watch as a masterclass in the modern golden age of television.