“This Could Be the Defining Moment of Your Life”: Succession’s Kendall Roy as a Modern-Day Tragic Hero Written by Cailin Ball1,2 1 Cinema Studies Institute, University of Toronto 2 Undergraduate of New College, University of Toronto The first season of HBO’s drama-satire Succession follows Kendall Roy, heir-apparent to a multi-billion-dollar media company, in his continually failing quest to become CEO. Despite his flaws – notably arrogance, disloyalty, and a perpetual drug addiction – the audience cannot help but root for Kendall, despite the lingering sense that he will continue to fail, no matter what he tries. In this way, Kendall fits the archetypal mold of the Classical tragic hero. The show even makes direct references to Kendall’s Oedipal trajectory, emphasizing just how tragic and Classical his hero arc is.
Nobility by Birth and Betrayal The tragic hero, originating in early Greek literature, was defined and explored in depth by Aristotle (Leech 33). He identified a number of criteria which apply to this sort of hero, many of which can be recognized in Kendall’s character arc. The first of these is the state of nobility by birth, which Kendall clearly aligns with (Leech 34). Immediately, in the season’s first episode, it becomes obvious just how wealthy the Roy family are, and have been their entire lives. Despite this ‘nobility’ and wealth, however, Kendall seems unsatisfied with his position, viewing anything but CEO as insufficient. Aristotle noted this also, as a tragic hero characteristic; despite being born into means, the tragic hero is unsatisfied, and is willing to betray those around him for more (Leech 37). Also similar to a Classical tragic hero, Kendall seems more suited to power than the average person, possessing smarts, strong leadership skills, and extreme confidence. However, this is seemingly not enough for him. After the pilot, wherein Kendall’s imminent takeover as CEO is rescinded by his father, he begins the downward spiral and quest for power that continues throughout the season. When his father reveals that he plans to continue as CEO for years to come – contrary to the plan for Kendall’s takeover – Kendall is spurred to action, and to betrayal. His father’s illness immediately after this decision allows Kendall the perfect opportunity for a takeover, despite Logan’s wishes. This, of course, does not last long. As his father recovers, the two are locked in a dirty power struggle, leading Kendall to plan a vote-of-no-confidence, gathering shareholder support to vote his father out, and himself in. Kendall’s fatal flaw is his confidence, especially in the face of his father’s authority, and it is this that leads to his inevitable and devastating downfall.
Screenwriters’ Perspectives Vol. 3 No. 1 2022
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