The Worst Acts Committed By Succession Characters Ranked

Power and control are the names of the game in HBO's jet-black comedy-drama "Succession." The Roy family owns the global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar Royco, led by founder and patriarch Logan Roy. The family's status and influence over the media may remind you of some other prominent media tycoons, and that's because creator Jesse Armstrong looked to families such as the Murdochs, the Redstones, and the Sulzbergers for inspiration (via The New York Times).

But as Logan grows older and his health declines, which of his four children will succeed him in running the family business? Most likely, it won't be eldest son Connor Roy, who's shown no interest in the company's internal politics, or youngest son Roman Roy, who lacks the focus and maturity to run the company. This leaves the family's only daughter Siobhan "Shiv" Roy, who possesses natural leadership skills and drive, and second-eldest son Kendall Roy, who's just as power-hungry as his father. Possibly, none of the children will ever get the chance since the decision is ultimately up to their manipulative, ruthless father.

"Succession" is built on the foundation of brutal family drama fueled by fear and admiration for Logan. In order to remain in the hierarchy, the Roys must all do whatever it takes, even if that means punching down, committing and covering up crimes, or abusing their loved ones. Nothing is off-limits. Time to get PR involved, because we're ranking the worst acts committed by "Succession" characters. Spoilers for the first three seasons of "Succession" ahead.

Being the offspring of Logan, Shiv is no angel. Engaged to Waystar executive and lapdog Tom Wambsgans at the start of the series, Shiv ties the knot with Tom in the Season 1 finale, "Nobody Is Ever Missing." It's hard to tell if the two truly love each other, given that their entire relationship is corrupted by the family business. Tom desperately wants to be accepted into the powerful Roy family, and Shiv takes full advantage of this, using him to push her own agenda whenever she can. The reality of their dysfunctional relationship sets in when Shiv cheats on Tom with fellow political strategist and former boyfriend Nate Sofrelli. Shiv denies this ongoing affair until hours after their wedding when she decides to come clean and requests an open relationship. Despite being obviously uncomfortable and heartbroken, Tom falls in line as usual.

The strain on their relationship tightens in the finale of Season 2, "This Is Not for Tears," when a group meeting on a yacht turns into everyone throwing each other under the bus as they try to decide the company's public scapegoat during the Waystar cruise scandal. While Tom sits right across from her, Shiv signs on to the idea that Tom should be the one to go to jail. This pushes Tom to admit to Shiv how unhappy he is in their marriage, which ultimately leads to Tom shockingly backstabbing Shiv.

Logan's second wife and mother to his three youngest children, Caroline isn't any different from the rest. The kids' reactions to having to see their mother again for Shiv and Tom's wedding are enough proof to know she's an intolerable person in her own right. Absent for most of the kids' lives, Caroline admits to giving Logan custody to ensure the kids' shares in the company during an intimate conversation with Shiv in Season 3, Episode 8, "Chiantishire." During that same conversation, Caroline reveals the cold truth that she wishes she never had children. This admission of regret — while heartbreaking — isn't shocking, since her actions have always proved this to be true.

During Shiv and Tom's wedding, Caroline goes around to the guests and asks how long they think the marriage will last. When Kendall tries to open up to his mother about his recent struggles, she blows him off. But nothing is as hurtful as when Caroline sells out her kids behind their backs. In the Season 3 finale, "All the Bells Say," the kids' chances of succession are jeopardized when Logan decides to sell the company without their input. There's still hope when the three remember a clause in their parent's divorce settlement granting them veto power over any change in company control. Kendall, Shiv, and Roman finally team up against their father, but lose once again when Logan informs them that their divorce agreement has been renegotiated. Thanks to Caroline, the children no longer hold company control.

Roman's gross behavior also extends to his family and his immediate inner circle. In Season 2, an unorthodox relationship develops between Roman and Gerri Kellman, Waystar's General Counsel and trusted subordinate. What starts as playful flirting escalates to phone sex in Season 2, Episode 4, "Safe Room," when Roman calls up Gerri after a failed attempt at phone sex with his girlfriend. This wouldn't be the first time Roman has failed in this department. Roman's sexuality is a bit of a mystery during the earlier episodes of the show, when it's established that he doesn't actually have sex with the women he dates. As it turns out, he just needs an older woman to verbally berate him. No judgment here.

During their intimate phone call, Gerri throws out insults like, "You disgusting little pig" and "You're pathetic. You are a revolting little worm, aren't you? You little slime puppy." Actor J. Smith-Cameron boasted to The Los Angeles Times, saying, "I made up slime puppy ... I'm proud of slime puppy. It's my contribution to American literature."

The sexual acts continue, but Gerri demands their "relationship" (for lack of a better word) stays out of the office. Later in Season 3 she shuts him down altogether, refusing to continue their secret affair. Well, this doesn't stop Roman from attempting to send Gerri an unsolicited photo of the slime puppy in his pants during a company meeting. Except, he mixes up his messages and sends it straight to Logan instead. Logan takes five; Roman is mortified.

When cousin Greg lands a job with Waystar, it isn't surprising when Tom starts taking advantage of the newcomer. Essentially an outsider who worked his way within, Tom will take any opportunity he can to flex his power on someone below him — especially Greg. Throughout Season 1, Tom degrades and abuses Greg while Greg takes it all in stride, thinking it's just another part of the job. The worst of it comes when Tom uses Greg as his sacrificial lamb when the Waystar cruise line's history of sexual misconduct and murder bubbles up to the surface. Tom tasks Greg with the cover-up, forcing him to shred evidence in the form of documents.

Despite the abuse, their relationship transforms into a bromance for the ages. Tom begins to respect Greg more as Greg becomes more confident in himself. The two start to look out for each other because as far as the Waystar Royco family ranking is concerned, they're mostly the same. However, that doesn't cancel out the awfulness of Tom's initial abuse.

Shiv makes it on the list once again for arguably her worst act ever. In Season 2, Episode 9, "DC," we see a new side of Shiv ... or maybe it was always there. During the investigation into the cruise scandal that could end the Waystar company for good, Shiv gets word from her former boss Gil that a woman by the name of Kira will be testifying. Shiv and Rhea are tasked with meeting with Kira to convince her not to testify — an act that's both unethical and illegal. While Rhea backs out last minute — knowing how bad what they're about to do is — Shiv carries on and manipulates a victim of sexual harassment and abuse into staying silent. There's no remorse or understanding, even though she tries to play it off as such. Woman-to-woman, Shiv instills fear into Kira, reminding her of the consequences others like her tend to face when they speak out. She'll have to live with her name forever tied to her trauma, face public scrutiny, and be attacked by the rich and powerful. Shiv offers a solution, but her intentions are always in favor of herself.

Maybe the Roy family wouldn't be so deranged if it wasn't for Logan's constant abuse. Whether he's manipulating his children or pitting them against each other, Logan makes it a point to always be in control. He's created a hostile family environment where everyone is always competing with each other. But probably his worst act of abusive parenting is how he handles the situation involving Kendall's murder. The following morning after the accident, Logan takes advantage of his upper-hand and blackmails Kendall into giving up on his takeover. Kendall crumbles before him, reverting to a helpless child. Here you see just how far Logan will go to win.

"I remember talking to Jesse about if [Logan] really loves his children," actor Brian Cox recalls to Vox. "Jesse said, 'Absolutely. He absolutely loves his children.' And I think that's the tragedy of the piece, that's what gives it its stature. It's not just — it is a morality tale, certainly, but the thing about Logan is his children mean a lot to him. They're all f***-ups, and he sees that, and that sort of fills him with great sadness, that they have to have their hands held."