Succession: Ranking the members of the Roy Family

5. Tom Wamsgans

Calling Tom worse than Kendall is a matter of taste, really. However, let’s be real here: This guy is a jerk, plain and simple. Constantly bullying Greg, there’s almost nothing truly likable about him. We can really only hate-like him (which is probably a term by now). Also, that he tries to hide the cruise ship sex scandal is, well, scandalous. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about that (and Tom’s sleaziness) in season 2. At the same time (and paradoxically), we may see Tom more humanized regarding his love for Shiv Roy, which appears to be quite genuine. As stated before, she may be likened to his kryptonite, and also as proof that he’s capable of not being a jerk to everyone. Still, what a jerk! Season 2 may be intense based on this character alone. There’s so much more to explore!

6. Roman Roy

“Yum yum, blood! Shirts off sh**!” Such is how Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) refers to layoff, which he likens to a family of sharks circling its prey. He also likes to take his shirt off. Roman is the most lovable sleazoid Succession has to offer.  He wants all of his family’s power but none of the responsibility. It does make one wonder, what keeps Roman on board? Why doesn’t he just use some of his wealth to retire at an early age, away from all this trouble?

It’s because, in many ways, he feeds off his family’s dysfunction. His eyes are perpetually seeking a train wreck, which may be partly why he’d participate in a few. Then again, this may not literally be the case. When he botches a space shuttle launch that he was freakishly put in charge of, he seems to vaguely regret it. However, that seems to be more avoid sensing intense legal troubles and lawsuits, which can ultimately threaten anyone ⁠— even sons of self-absorbed billionaires.