Succession is a hugely popular business drama show airing on HBO. It centers around the Roy family who owns the largest media conglomerate in the world, chaired by the patriarch Logan Roy — think: Rupert Murdoch. The series opens with Logan’s health crumbling, which spurs the need to name his successor, with three of his children, Kendall, Shiv, and Roman, being prime candidates. What ensues is a complex game of corporate chess in which everyone wants to take over the company, but no one wants to admit it. The draw of the show is that while every character is uniquely terrible, you can’t help rooting for them all the same. It makes for tense, gripping, and hilarious television.

Created by Peep Show’s Jesse Armstrong, the tone of Succession is not the stuffy workplace drama you might expect from the premise. The writing is fast-paced and witty, confidently making digs at everyone in its crosshairs. However, it’s not without heart, and the tender moments scattered throughout pack an even greater punch among the brutality of the rest of the show. With 13 Emmy wins under its belt and 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, Succession is an almost universally acclaimed hit. If you’re looking for a who’s who of the Roy family, here’s a Succession cast and character guide.

Brian Cox as Logan Roy

Brian Cox in Succession
HBO

The man pulling all the strings, Logan Roy, is played by Brian Cox. Logan’s health is slipping away, when we first meet him, he wakes in the night confused about his surroundings, and it’s not long until he’s hospitalized in the first episode. While he can recognize he needs to start handing over the reins of the business to someone else, his pride gets in the way of this fact. Moreover, when his kids don’t act according to his wishes, they make the decision even more difficult. As for Cox, he has had an impressive career, working with the likes of Wes Anderson on Rushmore, David Fincher on Zodiac, and Spike Jonze on Adaptation.

Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy

Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy in Succession
HBO

The second eldest Roy sibling, Kendall, is played by Jeremy Strong. Kendall starts the series as Logan’s clear favorite: he works for the company, and has always played by the rules because he believes he is a sure bet to take over the company from Logan. But, of course, things don’t stay that way, and Kendall quickly becomes troublesome to Logan’s plans. Strong’s performance as Kendall is highly acclaimed, with both an Emmy nomination and win under his belt for different seasons of the show. There are several projects you might recognize Strong from, including The Trial of the Chicago 7, Selma, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Big Short.

Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy

Succession Sarah Snook
HBO

The youngest of the siblings, Shiv Roy, is played by Sarah Snook. When we meet her, she is working as a political campaigner, determined not to get involved in the family business. However, her husband Tom does conveniently work under the Roy umbrella, which she obviously uses to her advantage. Snook is another cast member to receive Emmy nominations for her stellar performance, though she is yet to win. Like most of these characters, Shiv is uniquely drawn, particularly as a female character, and fascinating to watch Besides Succession, you may have seen her in Holding the Man, Steve Jobs, Pieces of a Woman, or Predestination.

Related: Why Succession Ending After 4 Seasons Is a Win for Fans

Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy

Kieran Culkin in Succession
HBO

Kieran Culkin plays another of the Roys, Roman. He also works for the family company, but in a less important capacity; he is the sibling that none of the family takes seriously. With an entitled attitude in combination with an inferiority complex, the result is someone who doesn’t try very hard for anything in life. But, every now and then, he makes a good decision. Culkin is an actor whose name might ring a bell as his brother is Macaulay Culkin of Home Alone fame. Culkin did also have a much smaller role in the Home Alone movies, but you might recognize him from elsewhere such as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World or The Cider House Rules. Indeed, he's set to reprise his role in the Netflix anime series adaptation of the former.

Alan Ruck as Connor Roy

ruck-succession-hbo
HBO

The oldest Roy sibling is Connor, played by Alan Ruck. Connor sits slightly apart from his siblings as a result of an age gap and the fact that he has a different mother, from Logan’s previous marriage. He also lives outside of New York City, engaging in a different lifestyle than his siblings, but clearly has a chip on his shoulder because of the separation between himself and the rest of the family. Ruck has had an impressive career with over 100 credits to his name, some notable appearances include Ferris Bueler’s Day Off, Twister, and The Happening.

Hiam Abbas as Marcia Roy

abbass-succession-hbo
HBO Entertainment

Logan’s wife, though not the mother of any of the children, is Marcia Roy, played by Hiam Abbas. As a new part of the family, the kids are suspicious of her entry into their lives and potentially the family company. She keeps her cards close to her chest but is evidently intelligent and forward-thinking, which sets off alarm bells for the siblings, particularly Shiv. Abbas’ career includes work with Ridley Scott on Exodus: Gods and Kings, Denis Villeneuve on Blade Runner: 2049, and even the acclaimed show, Ramy.

Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Wambsgans

Matthew Macfadyen in Succession
HBO

Matthew Macfadyen plays Shiv Roy’s previously mentioned husband, Tom Wambsgans. Tom appears softer than most of these characters, seeking reassurance from Shiv that she refuses to give. Despite this, he is still determined to climb the ranks at the Roy family business, even when he must sacrifice his moderately left-leaning political beliefs to do so. Tom also forms a strange bond with Cousin Greg that is half-affectionate and half-antagonistic. Macfadyen is another Emmy-winner from the show, which is well-deserved as his performance as Tom is layered and hilarious. Prior to Succession, you may have seen him in Pride & Prejudice as Mr. Darcy, Anna Karenina, or Death at a Funeral.

Justine Lupe as Willa Ferreyra

Justine Lupe in Succession
Warner Bros.

Another of the siblings’ partners is Willa Ferreyra, who is played by Justine Lupe. Interestingly, Willa is named after Will Ferrell, one of the show’s producers. She is Connor’s partner, although when their relationship begins, it is largely transactional. Willa is uninterested in business, with aspirations of becoming a playwright that she hopes Connor will fund. Since she is separate from the business rat race, she is more immune to the abuse and mind games that run rampant among the family, making her an interesting component of the series. Lupe’s work beyond Succession includes a role in Frances Ha, and some TV work sucha as Cristela, Mr. Mercedes, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Related: Succession: What Makes the Characters So Fascinating

J. Smith Cameron as Gerri Kellman

J Smith Cameron in Succession
Warner Bros.

J. Smith Cameron plays Gerri Kellman, whose role in the company when we meet her is general counsel. Gerri is a character who comes across as clearly competent and intelligent, respected by others. She is also more averse to conflict than many of those around her, declining certain promotions and shutting down relationships when they won’t keep her in the right people’s good books. Cameron plays Gerri well, keeping her decision-making somewhat enigmatic and reinforcing the sense that she knows more than others might. Projects other than Succession where you may have seen her before include You Can Count on Me, True Blood, and Search Party.

Peter Friedman as Frank Vernon

Peter Friedman in Succession
HBO

Frank Vernon is the Vice-Chairman of Waystar, the Roy family company, and is played by Peter Friedman. He is a long-term close friend of Logan’s and a trusted advisor. When Logan has a stroke in the first episode, Kendall offers the interim CEO position to Frank, but he turns it down. Frank is a consistent presence throughout the series, often pulled in different directions by the conflicting personalities and desires of the Roy family. TV shows other than Succession where you may have seen Friedman act before include Brooklyn Bridge and The Path. Beyond TV, you could also recognize him from movies such as Single White Female, Paycheck, and Someone Like You.

David Rasche as Karl Muller

David Rasche in Succession
Warner Bros.

David Rasche plays Karl Muller, the CFO of Waystar. Karl is also a member of the company’s legal team, so he is often brought into discussions around the family’s scandals and less than legitimate schemes. In a similar position to Frank and Gerri, Karl is avoidant of causing much conflict in order to maintain his well-regarded position in Logan’s eyes and the company. Frank and Karl have an interesting semi-friendship that leads to great comedic moments. Rasche tells GQ that this is the result of his real-life relationship with Friedman: he says, “When you hire actors who know each other, you get something for free, and I've known Peter for a long time.” Rasche’s other major projects include Burn After Reading, Men in Black 3, and In the Loop.

Nicholas Braun as Gregory Hirsch

Nicholas Braun in Succession
Warner Bros.

Nicholas Braun plays Gregory Hirsch, often referred to as Cousin Greg, in Succession. His grandfather is Logan Roy’s brother, so he is a slightly distant cousin of the siblings. He grew up without the wealth that the rest of the family is accustomed to, so he struggles to fit in when he enters the cut-throat culture they’ve developed. Tom takes Greg as an assistant, whose primary role seems to be Tom’s punching bag, so he can pass on the abuse he receives from the rest of the family. Braun started acting as a teenager and his first large role was in Sky High. More recently, you might recognize him from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, How to be Single, or Zola.

Annabelle Dexter-Jones as Naomi Pierce

Annabelle Dexter-Jones in Succession
Warner Bros.

Annabelle Dexter-Jones plays Naomi Pierce, a member of the Pierce family who owns a rival media company, PGM. In an interview with Paper Magazine, Dexter-Jones describes Naomi as “the kind of outcast/black sheep in the family. She is an outsider among her clan.” After experiencing a serious accident that killed her mother and left her traumatized, Naomi has a personal hatred of the Roy family as it was their tabloids that followed her and her family around in the wake of this tragedy. This creates tension when the Roy family wants to acquire PGM. Dexter-Jones can also be seen in projects such as Under the Silver Lake, Ravage, and Red Oaks.

Related: How Succession is a True Reflection of America's Relationship With Capitalism

Juliana Canfield as Jess Jordan

Juliana Canfield in Succession
Warner Bros.

Jess Jordan is played by Juliana Canfield. She is Kendall’s assistant throughout the series, providing quiet support. Her role is not a huge one, but she is present much of the time, and as someone who isn’t an executive at the company, she acts as a rare point of reference for the majority of viewers. It’s much easier to imagine ourselves in her shoes than in the position of one of the Roy siblings. Canfield does a lot with a little in this role, her reactions and responses to Kendall’s outlandish behavior create comedy and sympathy. You may have seen her in the shows Y: The Last Man or The Calling.

Alexander Skarsgård as Lukas Matsson

Alexander Skarsgard in Succession
HBO

Alexander Skasgård appears for the first time in the third season of Succession as Lukas Matsson. He is a tech mogul who owns the streaming company GoJo which Logan is seeking to acquire. At this point, Kendall is also attempting a takeover of GoJo in order to spite his father and family. Matsson’s role in the show may be small, but he causes ongoing strife among the Roy family and develops a fascinatingly tense relationship with Roman in his few scenes. Skarsgård’s career is densely packed, but a few recognizable projects include Big Little Lies, True Blood, and The Northman.

Arian Moayed as Stewy Hosseini

Arian Moayed in Succession
HBO

The role of Stewy Hosseini is played by Arian Moayed. Stewy is one of Kendall’s oldest — and only — friends, but the two are also often at odds. He gets involved in the Roy family business when Kendall is in desperate need of help while acting as interim CEO after Logan’s stroke in the first episode. Stewy often acts as a kind of foil for Kendall, being cooler and more easygoing in a way that Kendall envies. Moayed tells Vulture that “That’s what makes him so likable and hateable at the same time.” Outside the world of Succession, Moayed can be seen in Inventing Anna, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Love Life.