While the characters and events in Succession are fictional, it’s not hard to see the real-life inspiration behind the show. The Murdoch family, led by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, is a clear influence with their media empire and complicated succession drama. In Season 4, episode 2 of Succession, the line between fiction and reality blurs even more, especially in one key moment.
Logan Roy’s Speech in Season 4, episode 2
The scene in question features Logan Roy (played by Brian Cox) returning to the ATN broadcast studio, delivering a fiery speech that harkens back to a different era. He talks about cutting the throats of the opposition and building something “faster, lighter, meaner, wilder” from the ATN floor.
Inspiration for the Scene
The inspiration for this scene is not hard to find. In 2007, after Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. acquired Dow Jones, the parent company of The Wall Street Journal, for $5 billion, Murdoch himself stood on a makeshift platform made of photocopier paper in the WSJ newsroom to address the staff.
Writer and executive producer Lucy Prebble explained the thought process behind the scene, highlighting the old-school approach of a character like Logan Roy.
Season 4 of Succession is available for streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes airing every Sunday at 9 p.m.
Topics
HBO


