- Succession creator clarifies confusion regarding character’s markings on script
- Underlined names indicated potential allies, crossed-out ones meant adversaries
- Jeremy Strong, who plays a lead role, reveals natural instinct towards underlined names
In a recent talk, the creator of the popular TV series Succession addressed a debate concerning markings made by a character in the show’s final season. In Season 3 of Succession, protagonist Kendall Roy, played by Jeremy Strong, reviews a contract and underlines or crosses out names on a list.
Jesse Armstrong, the show’s creator, clarified that Kendall underlined the names of potential allies and crossed out those he considered adversaries. This revelation settles confusion amongst fans about the meaning of the two different markings. Armstrong said, “In the end, I thought we made it clear that underlined are the people he thought he could count on.” He added that while there was some debate amongst the crew about whether crossed-out or underlined names were considered good or bad, the final decision was made based on Strong’s own instincts.
Jeremy Strong concurred with the creator’s explanation, noting that the script originally had only underlined names. He mentioned, “My instinct was that if I underline something, that’s a good thing.” Armstrong then agreed with Strong’s instincts and decided to maintain the concept of underlined names indicating allies, while crossed-out ones would signal adversaries.
Hence, the creator’s explanation and the lead actor’s insight have now put an end to long-standing confusion over the meaning behind Kendall Roy’s scribblings on the show’s final season.