Succession was not just a new TV obsession for us; it basically changed the whole prestige drama formula that has been around for years. Very few series have succeeded in combining equally harsh satire, ruthless family quarrels, and hilarious dysfunction. After the Roys’ last act, you may crave more of that dark, sarcastic comedy mixed with power struggles. No worries, I have it covered for you. Below are 10 TV shows that reflect the same wickedly funny, brutally intense DNA as Succession, even to the extent of the biggest family disaster of all.
10. The Morning Show
Think of this as Succession’s network-TV relation. Backing the bright surface of breakfast television is a whirlwind of scandals, betrayals, and ambition. The Morning Show lives off the muck of media empires, with characters clawing tooth and nail for control of the spotlight. If you’re missing Succession’s boardroom showdowns, you’ll get plenty of drama here.
9. Empire
Suppose the Roys were a hip-hop dynasty rather than a media conglomerate. That’s Empire in a nutshell. Lucious Lyon makes his sons fight each other for control of his record label, while Cookie Lyon steals every scene with her sass and fire. It’s Shakespearean meets soap opera, with music and swagger to spare.
8. Six Feet Under
A family melodrama in which death is quite literally the family business. The Fishers own a funeral home, but the true narrative of Six Feet Under is their dysfunction, secrets, and crisis of existence. It’s odd, it’s hilarious, and it’s heartbreaking, frequently within the same episode. If Succession made you hungry for more emotional gut shots delivered via dark comedy, this one’s a must.
7. The Great
Take all of Succession’s scheming, backstabbing, and playing for power and place it in an 18th-century Russian court. Elle Fanning is terrific as Catherine the Great in this offbeat, satirical period drama. History is secondary to nasty wit and ridiculous drama, and it’s every bit as tasty as it sounds.
6. Industry
If Succession were set among twenty-somethings in finance, it would be very much like Industry. Based in the ruthless London banking environment, it’s full of betrayals, ambition, and careerists who are willing to do anything to be successful. Sharper suits, quicker backstabs, and all the emotional damage that goes with pursuing power come to mind.
5. House of Lies
Corporate greed is given a cool, cynical twist on House of Lies. Don Cheadle plays a group of consultants who’ll do whatever it takes to embezzle clients (and one another). It’s glossy, quick-talking, and unapologetically messy, great if you find yourself missing seeing good people make poor decisions.
4. Veep
Before Succession, Veep mastered the art of acid-tongued put-downs and political stabbing in the back. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is compelling as Selina Meyer, a Vice President (and then President) whose staff is as screwed up as the Roys. It’s wittier, dumber, and even nastier in its banter. If you enjoyed Succession’s snark, this is your next destination.
3. The Righteous Gemstones
Swap corporate boardrooms for megachurch pulpits, and you’ve got The Righteous Gemstones. This televangelist dynasty thrives on scandal, greed, and ridiculous amounts of family drama. With Danny McBride’s absurd humor and John Goodman’s gravitas, it’s a perfect blend of satire and family meltdown.
2. Billions
If Succession is a game of chess, Billions is a cage match. Bobby Axelrod and Chuck Rhoades are locked into a struggle of money, influence, and ego. Jammed with stinging dialogue and constant betrayals, it scratches the same high-wire drama and messed-up ambition itch.
1. Arrested Development
The original dysfunctional family sitcom. The Bluths don’t control a billion-dollar business, but their delusion, selfishness, and insanity equal the Roys. Arrested Development takes slapstick, quotable dialogue, and character-based calamities and mashes them all together into a timelessness that makes it infinitely rewatchable. If Succession is prestige mayhem, this is chaos comedy, and just as great.
Succession might be over, but the world of dark comedy, family drama, and shameless power plays is alive and thriving. Dive into any of these shows, and you’ll feel right at home in the chaos.