Jeremy Strong Was Originally Cast as Roman Roy, Says Kieran Culkin

HBO’s drama Succession, which is about to start its fourth and final season, is the story of a troubled family and the game of thrones within the major media giant. Logan Roy (Brian Cox), a father trying to protect his empire, big brother Kendall (Jeremy Strong) trying to prove himself, and sister Shiv (Sarah Snook) in search of power, and the troubled Roman Roy, played by Kieran Culkin.

Succession has many scenes and acting performances that left their mark on television history and social media. Roman is one of the stars of these scenes. Culkin’s performance elevates the charm of Roman, the man of unusual behavior. However, even Culkin was unaware of the ‘odd’ behaviors that make his performance look natural, at least according to Jimmy Fallon. He asked about Culkin’s sitting style in the series, ”A lot of fans of yours think Roman doesn’t understand chairs and how they work because every time you’re sitting, it’s always the oddest position I’ve ever seen.” he said.

”I didn’t notice that until after the second season, people started pointing that out. And a lot of people, including my wife, thought that that was something I was told, it was either in the writing or the director said, ‘Can you go upside down on a chair or something?” Culkin said. ‘I’ve been told that it’s weird. I didn’t even notice I was doing it. And then I tried to forget that I heard that because I don’t want to stop sitting weird. I’ve already established that he does that now. I gotta keep it up.”

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Unlike Sarah Snook and Nicholas Braun, Culkin has yet to feel the emotional strain of his recent farewell to the show, but he’s confident it’s coming, ”It hasn’t hit me because we only finished like three weeks ago, shooting. I just have not processed it. I’m pretty sure, depression, that’ll hit.” he said.

Culkin landing the role of Roman was not something that happened spontaneously. Before the hit series began, Culkin was cast as Cousin Greg and Jeremy Strong as Roman. However, Culkin stated that after reading the script, he did not feel comfortable with it.

”He (Jeremy Strong) had picked to be Roman, that’s what I heard. He was given the script first, and he wanted to play Roman. I was given it to read cousin Greg, and I didn’t feel I was right for it, so I just sent in a tape without asking for Roman. I know that he wanted to be (Roman Roy) initially, but I can’t picture being Greg, and him being Roman.”

Culkin said that each season is better than the last and that the series could go beyond four seasons, but the ending is satisfying. Succession returns Mar. 26 at 9 pm on HBO.