Set in New York, SUCCESSION explores themes of power, politics, money, and family. Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the tough, powerful, aging patriarch, is head of Waystar Royco, a family-controlled international media conglomerate. He is married to his third wife, Marcia (Hiam Abbass), a loving, formidable partner.

Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong), Logan's eldest son from his second marriage, is currently a division president at the firm and the heir apparent. Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin), Kendall's younger brother, is Logan's outspoken, fun-loving son and no longer works at Waystar. Siobhan "Shiv" Roy (Sarah Snook), Logan's only daughter and youngest child, has been pursuing a career in politics. Connor Roy (Alan Ruck), Logan's eldest son, and only child from his first marriage, has pursued an independent life in New Mexico.

In the season premiere, the Roy siblings are reunited with their younger cousin, Greg (Nicholas Braun), who has moved from Canada to New York seeking a foothold in the management of the firm's theme parks.

On the periphery of the Roy family are Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Shiv's ambitious boyfriend and a senior executive at the firm, and Rava Roy (Natalie Gold), Kendall's wife, with whom he shares two children and an emotional bond, despite their marital separation. Frank (Peter Friedman) is the firm's COO, an old family friend, and a mentor to Kendall. In an effort to solidify his takeover of Waystar, Kendall is on the brink of buying out a digital media outfit from Lawrence (Rob Yang), its CEO and founder.