Succession is an American satirical comedy-drama television series that revolves around the Roy family as they prepare for the next leadership roles within their global media and hospitality empire Waystar RoyCo amid family patriarch Logan Roy’s declining health. The show premiered on HBO in June 2018 and has since completed three seasons, with the fourth season set to air in 2023.
One of the key narrative threads in Succession is the complex dynamic between media mogul Logan Roy and his four children – Connor, Kendall, Roman, and Siobhan (Shiv). The siblings frequently clash as they jockey for power and favor with their formidable father, who sadistically toys with his children’s ambitions and vulnerabilities. This makes for riveting family drama as the Roy children struggle with their own desires and insecurities even as they try to prove themselves worthy of one day succeeding their father as head of Waystar RoyCo.
Of Logan Roy’s four children, three are sons – Connor, Kendall, and Roman. Fans of the show are well aware of the constant power struggles between the Roy brothers as each tries to assert himself as the most capable potential successor to their father. But who is the youngest of the three Roy brothers? Let’s take a closer look at the backgrounds of Connor, Kendall, and Roman Roy to determine which of Logan’s sons is the baby of the family.
Connor Roy
The eldest Roy sibling is Connor, played by Alan Ruck. Connor is Logan’s only child from his first marriage to Laura Newman. Based on conversations between various characters on the show, Connor appears to be somewhere in his early 50s in age. He is well-educated and cultured, but his ambitions within Waystar RoyCo seem half-hearted at best. Connor has instead invested his time in an unsuccessful presidential bid and a side relationship with an escort named Willa Ferreyra.
Despite being the eldest sibling, Connor seems the least interested in eventually taking over as CEO of Waystar RoyCo. While he enjoys the prestige and wealth afforded by being a Roy, he does not have the killer instinct or appetite for business displayed by his younger brothers. Connor prefers to spend time with his eccentric girlfriend Willa and harbors delusions of political grandeur rather than fully engaging in the family company. This apparent disinterest causes his father Logan and siblings to not take Connor entirely seriously despite his status as the eldest Roy child.
Kendall Roy
The second oldest Roy sibling is Kendall, portrayed by Jeremy Strong. Kendall spent many years as the heir apparent to Logan, but a tragic mistake crushed Kendall’s ambitions and caused a rift between him and his father. Kendall is intense, driven, and craves his father’s approval, but struggles with drug addiction and extreme self-doubt. He is more sensitive and morally conflicted than his cunning father but desperately wants to be seen as a killer in the business world like Logan.
Kendall appears to be in his late 30s or early 40s based on the show’s dialogue. He has children from a broken marriage and carries deep emotional scars from his years under his father’s wing. Kendall proves himself capable of ruthlessness, but often sabotages himself due to inner turmoil. He remains a complex figure who wavers between wanting to please his father and wanting to forge his own legacy.
Roman Roy
The youngest Roy brother is Roman, played by Kieran Culkin. Roman is foul-mouthed, sarcastic, and reveled in being Logan’s wunderkind before being displaced by Kendall. Roman is immature but street smart. He lacks polish but makes up for it with moxie. Roman wants power but seems uncertain what he would actually do with it. He idolizes Logan but also harbors deep-rooted insecurities tied to his childhood.
Roman appears to be in his early 30s, making him the baby of the family. He has a tendency to self-destruct just as his ambitions start to take off. Roman wants respect but often sabotages himself with sophomoric antics. He is jealous of Kendall but also wants his approval. Roman lacks maturity but has potential for growth if he can tone down his worst impulses.
The Youngest Roy Brother
Based on all available evidence from the show, Roman is the youngest of the Roy siblings. Roman is approximately a decade younger than Kendall, who is younger than Connor. Roman’s immaturity and impish side shine through frequently, reinforcing his status as the baby of the family. He is more wide-eyed about the world compared to his seasoned older brothers. Roman faces pressure to live up to his father Logan’s high expectations even as he struggles to find his place within both the Roy family and Waystar RoyCo.
Key Facts About Roman Roy
- Played by Kieran Culkin
- Youngest of the 3 Roy brothers
- In his early 30s
- Immature but ambitious
- Deeply insecure and craves approval
- Employs sarcasm and humor as defense mechanisms
- Wants power but is uncertain of larger goals
- Has a love-hate dynamic with Logan
Roman often feels like an outsider and underdog compared to Kendall and Connor, which fuels his drive and ambition. He wants to prove himself but finds maturity elusive. Roman’s status as the baby of the family affords him certain allowances from Logan but also means he has further to go to earn true respect.
Roman Roy’s Background
As the youngest Roy sibling, certain key events shaped Roman’s outlook and personality:
- Growing up in the shadow of his older brothers
- Childhood issues tied to his relationship with his mother
- His father’s emotional distance and extremely high expectations
- Teenage indiscretions that got him into serious trouble
- No clear role within Waystar RoyCo for years
- Feeling like he has the most to prove as the baby of the family
These factors contribute to Roman’s blend of arrogance and insecurity. He overcompensates with cockiness but is clearly a bit lost in terms of his larger direction in life and career. Roman wants the prestige of running Waystar without necessarily having a vision for the company. He is impulsive and does not fully consider consequences, as displayed by sending explicit photos in Season 1 that jeopardize a major deal. But he shows just enough cunning that he cannot be written off, even if he has a long way to go to earn true respect.
Roman’s Siblings Underestimate Him
As the youngest sibling, Roman often feels underestimated and disrespected by his family. Connor does not take him seriously and Kendall tries alternately to mentor Roman and put him in his place. But Roman shows he is survivor who finds ways to ingratiate himself with his father Logan when his older brothers falter:
- Logan briefly makes Roman his No. 2 after Kendall’s disgrace in Season 1
- Roman maneuvers himself onto the fast track program in Season 2
- He proves himself a shrewd media talent with his viral rocket launch video
- Roman shows boldness by trying to salvage the GoJo deal after Kendall betrays Logan
Despite his obvious flaws, Roman has a resilience and hunger for the fight that both frustrates and impresses his father and siblings. He will not go away quietly even when dismissed as the baby of the bunch. Roman’s wit and lack of pretense allow him to thrive in the digital media realm, presenting a threat to Kendall’s tech ambitions. With maturity, Roman could blossom into a cunning media executive in his own right rather than just a pest to his siblings.
Roman’s Relationship with Logan Roy
No relationship shapes Roman more than his tie to his father Logan, who exerts intense psychological influence over all his children. Logan is hypercritical and domineering with Roman, but also knows how to build him up and play him against Kendall and Connor. Roman both fears Logan and desperately craves his approval. He is willing to do his father’s bidding even as he harbors some distrust toward his old man. Roman’s Oedipal issues bubble close to the surface at all times.
Key aspects of Roman and Logan’s fraught, complex dynamic include:
- Logan frequently belittles and undermines Roman
- But he also shows glimpses of pride in Roman’s cunning
- Roman tries to match his father’s machismo and killer instinct
- He oscillates between obedience and rebellion with Logan
- Logan uses Roman as a pawn against Kendall and Connor
Roman wants to be the number one son but also wrestles with buried resentment toward his father. Like Kendall, Roman seeks Logan’s approval but is stifled under his father’s enormous shadow. He often cannot tell where he stands with Logan, keeping him anxious and on edge. Their relationship is layered, combative and laced with mind games. Logan molded Roman in his own image but may eventually have to reckon with the monster he created.
Analysis of Roman Roy
Though he initially seems like an infuriating loose cannon, Roman Roy emerges as one of Succession’s most complex characters. Certain key factors make him compelling:
- Duality – Roman is both crude and cunning. He masks perceptiveness with sophomoric humor.
- Drive – His ambition is undeniable even if poorly channeled. Roman is always hustling.
- Potential – Immaturity obscures Roman’s promise. He has raw skills and resilience.
- Chaos Agent – Roman is a disruptive force within the Roy family dynamic.
- Hidden Depths – Psychological issues bubble under his cocky surface.
Roman represents the future of Waystar RoyCo – restless, amoral, sly and digital-savvy. He will ruthlessly pursue an edge but also knows how to charm and use humor as a shield. Roman is no angel but showcases certain talents Logan himself possessed on his climb to power. His development showcases both nature and nurture, making Roman Roy one of Succession’s most fascinating studies.
Conclusion
Succession revels in the tense dynamic between Logan Roy and his children as they vie for power and approval. Each Roy sibling reflects aspects of their formidable father while still maintaining their own perspectives and drives. Of Logan’s three sons, youngest child Roman has the most direct channel to his inner Logan but struggles to fully earn respect from his father and siblings.
Roman’s status as the baby of the family fuels his ambition but also leaves him underestimated. He counters with bravado and wit. Roman morphs from party boy pest to cunning threat capable of bold corporate machinations. His blend of insecurity and charisma make him dangerous but also vulnerable to self-sabotage. Roman remains very much a work in progress – but his potential makes him a rising power player waiting to blossom, both within the Roy family and Waystar RoyCo.
In the end, Roman’s status as the youngest Roy son is crucial to understanding his motivations and trajectory. His youth drives him to take risks and carve his own path in an attempt to make a name for himself outside of his father and brothers’ shadows. Roman Roy exemplifies how birth order and family dynamics shape personality and ambition. Though the youngest, he will not be underestimated or overlooked for long.
Key Facts About the Youngest Roy Sibling Roman
| Name | Roman Roy |
|---|---|
| Age | Early 30s |
| Played By | Kieran Culkin |
| Parents | Logan Roy and Unnamed Mother |
| Siblings | Connor Roy, Kendall Roy, Siobhan “Shiv” Roy |
| Role | Junior executive at Waystar RoyCo media division |
| Strengths | Cunning, charm, humor, digital media savvy |
| Weaknesses | Immaturity, insecurity, aimlessness, self-sabotage |