by Sam H.
The discussion of diversity in Succession has been the subject of discourse as many have argued that since all the characters on the show are terrible people, including people of color in this show would result in negative portrayals. Additionally, Jeremy Strong and Jesse Armstrong have both addressed the lack of diversity by saying that the show is supposed to reflect the reality of how most corporations often only have white people in positions of power – however, the show fails to effectively criticize the lack of diversity in the corporate setting. Though the show itself points this flaw out sometimes, including the scene of Cousin Greg noticing how the Waystar Royco ad had more diversity than the actual company did, there’s a stark lack of commentary on the whiteness of the show. Succession attempts to address this somewhat in season three when Berry Schneider (Jihae) and Lisa Arthur (Sanaa Lathan) are introduced, but the show’s issue of how people of color are treated within the context of the story seems to stand out more than ever.
Before season three, two people of color were portrayed as external enemies to the company: Lawrence and Stewy. Having people of color being portrayed as villains is a little disheartening as it’s more than disappointing that the few characters of color were shown in a such negative light as most characters on this show are – however, they’re shown in a way that’s harder to sympathize with them than it is with the Roys, even if they are giving some sort of substantial but temporary power in the story. Lawrence eventually disappears from the show, but Stewy (Arian Moayed) sticks around, albeit he and Marcia (Hiam Abbass) have drastically reduced screentime in season three to the point where Arian Moayed was demoted from recurring actor to guest actor, which was the title he has been nominated for a 2022 Emmy under. Marcia and Stewy being sidelined is a real shame because they’re both interesting characters who have the potential to be fleshed out and explored more, not to mention both Moayed and Abbass are incredibly talented actors and shouldn’t be underutilized.
The ostensible explanation for this is the introduction of Berry and Lisa, but these two women of color are barely developed and rarely receive any screentime. In fact, Kendall even fires Lisa as the season progresses. Though Berry joins Kendall’s entourage, she rarely has any speaking lines and mostly stands to the side, offering a nod and becoming reduced to a yes-woman after her strong introduction. Jess, Kendall’s assistant, gets some screentime this season, but she doesn’t grow into an independent character and seems like an extension of Kendall. Kendall Roy’s poor treatment of these three women of color serves as an indication of how Kendall’s activism and support for women are false as he unwittingly disrespects all the women of color in his life. Somehow, this commentary flew over many fans’ heads, though with Succession’s mostly white fanbase that claims they’re amazing at analysis, it isn’t too surprising.
While this strategy of showing how surface-level Kendall’s activism is effective, it also reduces the struggles of the few women of color on the show to a mere passing point and trivializes their experiences. Of course, the main plot of the show is the family drama and the struggle for power; however, Succession’s glaring problem with how it treats characters of color cannot keep going unchecked, or else it’ll keep devolving, which, considering what happened in season three to Berry, Lisa, Marcia, and Stewy, will be extremely difficult to watch. It would be great to see Succession make commentary about the mistreatment of people of color without treating its characters of color horribly. It can, instead, empower its characters of color without villanizing them and explicitly highlighting how the Roys’ discomfort with such instances is indicative of American corporate culture.
Especially since Succession’s popularity has skyrocketed with the release of the newest season and no doubt will garner more attention with season four, the show should really consider taking the opportunity to treat its characters of color with more respect and making more explicit commentary and criticism on whiteness in the corporate sphere. And if that means there’ll be less screentime for Connor Roy and his incoherent rambles, so be it.