Succession - How Jeremy Strong Perfected Kendall Roy
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
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This video essay analyzes Jeremy Strong's performance in Succession. With Season 4 of Succession wrapping up, it's time to look back at what made this performance as Kendall Roy so memorable.
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Music used:
Things to Come by Mocha Music (Shutterstock)
I Wanted It by Emmanuel Jacob (Premium Beat)
Vision for Life by Mocha Music (Shutterstock)
&
'The Long Dark' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Adrift Among Infinite Stars' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
'Undertow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Timestamps:
0:00 Jeremy Strong Intro
2:20 Physicality of Kendall Roy
6:50 Underlying Emotions
10:10 Emotional Outpouring
#successionseason4 #succession #jeremystrong - Розваги
You could say, Jeremy Strong was interested in acting from a very young age.
Perfection 😘
Ya but he never had the makings of a varsity athlete
Hahahahaha nailed it
You did just say that. 😁
Enough
his eyes tell everything, he also perfectly plays a 40 years old man being a 10 years old boy
Jeremy as Kendall is just one of the best performances on television. It's just so damn great, so compelling.
As good an actor as he is, I could never see him playing the part of Roman. No one could be Roman but Culkin.. he was born for that part.
same as can be said for Jeremy strong for Kendall no one can portray Kendall magnificently as he does it
Jeremy is a beast as an actor, I love every second he appears on screen
💯
He makes me want to go back into acting.
jeremy strong understands kendall SOOO well it shocks me sometimes like that bathroom breakdown scene in the pilot being improvised is insane and it just shows how much he understands him from the very beginning
Damn, I forgot that scene. I’ve gotta rewatch that
Whenever Kendall has the big glassy puppy dog eyes by heart just breaks. And his break downs - God they just move me SO much. Groundbreaking acting, from the entire cast really
Same!
He's so good that I don't think I appreciate how good he really is. I kind of forget that he's acting. Everyone in the show is superb but Strong stands out.
Insane to think Jeremy Strong almost went unrecognized for the insane talent he is. Wow!
And now he is a star and destined for greatness
"I'm blown into a million pieces..." this is Kendall's best line in the show for me, as is that scene when he finally breaks.
My favorite is in season 2, at the end of the "Shooter" episode, when Shiv confronts him in Logan's office and he says, "Without dad, I don't know what I would be for". It's just so damn heartbreaking; Strong makes you feel every word of that sentence.
For me its "I'm all apart"
@Conforzo That and blown into a million pieces actually did break me.
it's fucking lonely, i'm all apart
"Calling your daughter a coward until she cries, big man!"
The one time Kendall 100% got the best of Logan in a confrontation
his physical acting is incredible. it’s the way he’s able to shrink himself down in his scenes with logan where he literally becomes a little boy, which is exactly how logan treats him. you can feel that as a viewer. dialogue is unnecessary to understand exactly what is happening in his mind.
The scene near the end of season 1 was so magical. After Kendall failed the vote of no confidence I was confused at why the season didn't end there, but once the waiter death arc was in motion I was stunned at how much depth Kendall had. I'm so grateful they chose Jeremy Strong, as they could have easily leaned into an actor who had more of a fratboy look to match Kendalls archetype, but probably wouldn't have had the same skillset to put his agony on full display like that.
That’s what I thought as well. Most actors would play Kendall as a stereotypical trust fund baby narcissist with no layers, no nuance. But Jeremy created a whole human
I think I read Jesse knew Jeremy's acting before succession, dont really know if they already worked together, but Brian, Natalie, Sarah, Matthew, Jeremy already had training in teather perfomances, I think Jesse knew he was capable to portray this character amazingly, thats why he decided to send him the script and let him choose whatever character he wanted
It's incredible how he can portray all the sadness in Kendall's eyes.
Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy is just perfect
He has won an Emmy for a reason
I've read and listened to a few of Jeremy Strong's interviews since the New Yorker profile. It breaks my heart how it affected him and how he feels the need to preface everything he says with a disclaimer that he knows it's boring, or pretentious, or intense, or he quotes too many things. I've never been as captivated by a performance as I am by his Kendall, so clearly whatever he's doing works for him. I hope it lets off after Succession ends and he can just work on whatever he likes in peace.
Jeremy is truly one of a kind. His love and dedication towards his craft is undeniably attractive, it's incredible to watch.
Jeremy is so fucking good, his acting on the phone in THAT episode brought me to tears 👏🏿👏🏿
With his range of emotional ability… he’s able to truly convey what’s he’s feeling to me the viewer. Cringe, Grief, Hubris, Triumph, Sadness. All these can be called on at any moment.
Jeremy Strong gives an absolutely brilliant performance in every scene he is in. He nails one of the classic features of an adult who was abused and very hurt (betrayed) as a child. As you mentioned, his emotional outpourings are a classic symptom of this, as is the other side of that in which it is a balancing act between numbness (feeling nothing) and swinging into emotional “flooding” when pushed to a certain point. Great character study. Thank you!
I remember seeing Jeremy in The Big Short and there was something about his performance that was so great. He didn't have the biggest part, he didn't have the most lines, but Jeremy made every moment count when he got screen time
I first saw him as Lee Oswald in Parkland. Unforgettable. I thought, he is one to watch. I have ever since
Yep, his character in that film was magnetic and he stole every scene. And that's really saying something as the movie is full of S tier performances especially Steve Carrell. But I came away from the film wanting most to know more about Vinny
He was truly attention-getting in The Big Short, one of my favorite movies. He just reels you in with the depth of his performance.
Your analysis on these characters have changed my perspective on the acting. Which was already great, but now I keep seeing the things you mentioned.
A long way to say: "thank you"
perspective. yes.
This has to be one of the most heart-breaking performances I've ever watched. Give this man an oscar! Kendall can be so cringe and so self centred - but the vulnerability in Jeremy's performance just makes you want to protect him! He still feels like a sad little boy.
I have a feeling that Kendall is slowly becoming a version of his father, almost like Logan 2.0
He's dipping his toes into deception and manipulation more and more with each episode of season 4. If anything, he may become more dangerous. Imagine Logan Roy with a friendly smile and warm handshake, but is still Logan Roy behind closed doors.
As a post script, I couldn't imagine anyone else pulling off such a dynamic role after watching Jeremy Strong BECOME Kendall Roy
The one thing about Logan is that we saw him in his element as the boss of everyone. But in the few interactions he had with people outside of the court he can easily be seen with social graces (parents of the dead kid, when Kendall introduced him to the actress, his public persona in speeches etc.). Kendall is like his father a lot, but Logan grew up as a hard working man at the bottom so he couldn't always bulldoze his way probably through people and he really understood people. The kids are too up on the ladder to have these skills and truth be told, they don't need them.
He also called Roman and Shiv by their dad's nicknames for them "Romulus" and "Pinky" but honestly I see the waiter thing getting out and Kendall spiraling harder. Though he's never been as ruthless as Logan because he's emotional above all else and seeks constant validation. This season is full of surprises so we'll see I guess
@@nolonger2885 yeah, the waiter situation will definitely come back to bite Ken
3 seasons in, when he said, ‘I’m all apart.’ That finally broke me. I cried like he did. Amazing performance
My favorite Kendall moment that solidified just HOW GOOD this show is- Ken is being puppeted by Logan and Ken keeps going up to the roof. Then the g u n goes off in the building. When Ken returns to the roof, there is now 10ft tall glass walls around the roof. I cant put it into concise words, but he didnt say a word during those shots and he just seemed like this sad wounded bird inside a glass cage
I wanted this analysis for a very long time. This guy treats me better than my mom
That hesitant touch to his head at the birthday party is HEARTBREAKING
His performance in the latest episode 4x06 that Living+ speech scene the way writers deceived audience but the command Jeremy had while giving that speech or as Tom says "Promised Audience eternal life", reacting to the tweet with just the right amount nervousness and confidence you seriously need a vessel like Strong to deliver such major scenes
I really had a sense that the presentation could go either way at every moment just like his co-workers probably felt. I was engrossed you could feel the stakes of the presentation.
ive never known an actor make it look so real and authentic, the body language the mannerisms truly mesmerising, so sad its the last season but will go down as some of the best acting in any series ive seen
He really is my favourite actor and character on the show. I'm the most invested in his arc.
That’s why he’s our number one boy!!! 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
Even in such an amazing and skilled ensemble of actors, it is truly Jeremy's sincerity and commitment to the role that makes us root for him. Despite KNOWING & SEEING his vices and vulnerability, despite witnessing him mess up and self-sabotage in the most crucial moments of the story, despite seeing his emotions cloud his judgement several times - DESPITE all these, we root for Kendall! Even amongst his siblings who have their own vices but display more outward bravery than him, like Shiv's coldness or Roman's sarcasm, my heart still hopes this wounded man gets to win at the end and prove his father wrong! Season 4 has been such a rollercoaster with different alliances sprouting and changing in every episode as the power dynamic constantly shifts among the characters - I have no idea who, if any, is going to come out on top or perhaps they'll all self-destruct in their own ways and that will be the true tragic end for this story...
His acting is a thing of beauty
My best scene of him was when he hugged shiv and broke down... it really got to me
I loved that scene especially how she reacted to comfort him it surprised me a bit
Yeah, the "it ain't gonna be me" scene really got to me, too. Beautiful, beautiful acting.
Succession is a show stacked with immense talent, and yet Jeremy Strong's performance still manages to stand out, he truly mastered his craft and we are very lucky to witness such dedication.
Excellent analysis of Jeremy Strong’s work here. Jeremy Strong’s performance delivers the type of vulnerability and authenticity that elicits empathy in the viewer. You weep with him, you shrink during his cringe or bombastic moments and you yell words of warning at the screen when you see him fucking up. When you view his performance of Kendall, you see Kendall the person rather than Jeremy playing a character. This man is truly gifted and his gift to us is breathing life into Kendall Roy. What a twisted and perilous ride this has been!
Kendall was very strong & confident with the details of the Vaulter shuttering. Even just standing still and calm as someone spat in his face. Just shows you how strong of a constitution he can have when he’s not dealing with his dad or family… but also he was very shut down and numb then as a person, so maybe that was part of it too.
Thanks for this video. Jeremy Strong blew me away in this. Even with relatively unremarkable details, like when Kendall cleans the glass he used at the waiter's parent's house; it was just an everyday thing to do, but through the whole show we never see these characters cleaning up after themselves, even just making a bed. And he did it such a way you could tell exactly how awful he felt. He's an unbelievable actor, right down to the smallest gesture.
One of the things I am most surprised about his performance is how throughout the show, he is able to both pull you in with charisma and likeability to then push you away when he is at his most vain, obnoxious and demeaning. He never felt predictable nor flat.
The scene where he breaks down after the tv host mocks him is beauty.
The way he shakes hands! I could never put it into words but you explained it perfectly
This is his “role of a lifetime”, and it works. As he is a middle aged actor who has seen countless opportunities pass him by. He knew this was his last chance to make a name for himself, thus, a magnum opus of a performance came out of it.
Not really. Did you know he went to Yale with a scholarship? He made actor like Daniel Day Lewis write a letter for him to go trough. Which means he really loves his craft, sure, maybe this was his most popular but even Chris Evans believed he was a monster class before succession.
the moment in this past episode, 4.6, when roman comes in to say he's not joining kendall and wearing the flight jacket before the presentation, kendall changes on the spot. his face falls, his posture drops, he even turns in a circle as though he is spiraling, knocked off balance. it's such a brief movement but it makes a huge impact
In a show full of great writing & great performances by seasoned actors, he stands out as a force of nature!
Jeremy gave the performance of a lifetime one of the best acting TV history
Strong’s non verbal approach in his shoulders is insane. You can see that Kendall always looks like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, and when it starts to crack under pressure
I want to protect him so badly. He’s his own worst enemy.
Makes me wonder how many great actors are overlooked out here and we might never witness their greatness
Jeremy’s performance is brilliant! His nonverbals are so strong that it feels like he’s in front of you in real life and you can feel what he feels!!
Jeremy’s dedication to his craft is laudable. I’m sure I’ll be studying him as long as his career is in view.
I heard Jeremy Strong share in an interview - that they had did a few takes of him confessing about the waiter while standing up but it didn’t seem right and then he instead found himself wanting to go to the floor and share. And that works and if you think it about it - it would make sense as a way for the character to ground himself.
Jeremy’s talent never ceases to amaze me. He ALWAYS hits his performances out of the park. He brings Kendall Roy to life and makes us feel Kendall’s agony and pain. 🙏🏽🎭😇❌⭕️
I first saw him on "Masters of Sex" as one of the Drs who had joined Masters and Johnson's study. He was riveting and I was naturally drawn to him. His ability to access his vulnerability has always drawn me to his work. He deserves his success. I hope to see him in many more projects.
This analisys is amazing, thank you very much. Jeremy´s Strong acting is really remarkable, I believe this is one of the best characters created this decade and what Jeremy brings to this role is unbeliavable, I don´t think any other actor could perform this role the way that he has done it. It´s simply perfect
I love Jeremy Strong. He definitely is one of the most fantastic actor. Love how he has lovely attention to detail!
For me it’s confusing that I even like Kendall. He’s not someone I’d normally find attractive and he’s such a morally dubious character, but I attribute his likability to the fact that Jeremy Strong is such a fantastic actor and adds so much emotional complexity and depth to Kendall that you can’t help but feel for him. Great video.
I actually really appreciate the sponsor segment being at the end and not in the middle of the content. Makes it way more likely for me to give it a chance and not just skip through it.
Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy is one of the best roles in the history of TV
His zombie walk and depressed gaze bewitched me body and soul ❤
If you have the energy to do one more acting analysis on Succession, please do Kieran Culkin!
Kendall Roy always looks like he's seen 10,000 ghost at 1 time... and I'm here for it.
Lmao this is the perfect way to describe him 😂
I liked Jeremy Strong in The Big Short, he plays a great role in that movie too.
i never for a second thought jeremy was acting, kendall roy seems like a real person
Jeremy gave one of the best performances I've ever seen in my life it's actually unbelievable how good he is
Thanks for including that shot at minute 10:00 when Kendall looks on silently at his dad being brought down from the plane. He is shattered by emotion just trying to hold it together. But as he lets out his breath trying to not choke on his tears, he becomes that lost and damaged kid again.
I think the exact moment I realized strong was really in the role was that “we’re just here to say…. Yo” line in the second episode
This SHOW !! I love Kendall.. you see his heart and his troubles. Strong is so strong in this role. ❤ thanks for your commitment on this character. He is alive and believable in a setting that is difficult to comprehend.
This show just has all the best actors.
Excellent job. All of your videos help me write more robust characters but this one nailed it for the draft I'm working on. I love Succession but without this nuanced critique, I would have overlooked some of the things that make Kendall such an intriguing character. Many thanks!
I think Kendall's sad moments, as good as they are, obscure his even more compelling modes: his manic periods which combine pathos with wounded arrogance with childlike glee to reveal an intensely wounded man.
i just wanted to thank this channel in general for helping me understand what makes Great acting so great. A frustrating thing Ive come across while on the internet is that people will say a performance is great, but not back it up with WHY its great. But with you you really help with making me notice all the little conscience decisions these actors are making. It really helps me to understand what makes good acting so good.
I think 39 was the same age James Gandolfini was during the first season of The Sopranos (after a long career of memorable supporting roles in the movies). Both phenomenal actors.
Found your channel after I finished the Sopranos and saw the video you created on Tony Soprano (which is exceptional), always look out for your content now because your analysis is exactly the things I am thinking, but I don't have the intelligence of cinema to verbalise. Great video again man.
Thank you for mentioning this, after watching these videos I got hungry for something like this for Tony soprano. I’m so glad to find he did one… on my way to watch right now. This is fascinating! His content helps me appreciate Succession on a deeper level for all the crazy displays of art and skills it has, these people are olympians.
the parallels between the father-son dynamic of The Godfather and Succession are actually very interesting i hadn't thought about that before. i really think that Jeremy is the Daniel Day lewisof his generation with his approach and his absolute dedication, expertise, passion, and authenticity he shows in his roles.
Man another thing succession does so well that doesn’t get enough credit is sibling relationships, the complexity and the way it remains childish far into adulthood is so spot on
Especially knowing that when journalist came after him because of his method acting, and as a result, very strong actors and actresses came to his defense, make his story more beautiful at the same time
Say what you want about method acting but Jeremy Strong has made it work for him. I'm in awe of this man's talent. He puts his heart and soul into his portrayal. He IS Kendall Roy. I dare so this is the magnum opus of his career. But I for sure would love to see him in other works going forward
These are so fantastic. Thank you for your incredible analyses of this excellent show.
It is the signature performance of arguably the best-acted show in television history.
Jeremy's performance is SO good, made me root for him since season 1. He was literally made for Kendall, love him so much
Kendall Roy is the greatest character portrayal ever put to film.
Truly remarkable breakdown. Hope this gets to Jeremy Strong somehow. I bet part of what makes him great is lost even on him.
Masterpiece Theater. The four siblings have forged an irrepressible and mercurial hold on each other that survived even after Logan's character departed the dynamic. That is an achievement. Each of them alone can't bring enough story, it needs to be all 4, and each is compartmentalizing life stage failures, in the way a rubrics cube spins red and the other spins to green and the other to yellow. That's what makes the show so fascinating to watch. I keep telling myself, oh, this is just because they're rich. The rich are different, and I'm trying to learn how. Lastly, bravo to Jeremy Strong. It took a lot of courage and much more to show the audience the depth of destruction that wealth and power have the potential to do to those who have it, like Logan. Each sibling is as damaged as Kendall, but it's Jeremy's wow performances, one after another, that drove it home for me, at least, that the rich are no different than the rest of us. It was gut-wrenching to watch Kendall fail, be tormented, rejected, sliced, and diced by Logan but then when Logan was ready to send Kendall to jail so Logan could protect the shareholder's value and whatever else, I was relieved when Kendall began to strike back. Thank you, I couldn't go much lower. Though it's fiction, I'm still glad Logan is gone for Kendall's sake. Jeremy gave tremendous performances back-to-back-new benchmarks. Oh, this UA-cam channel showed excellent comparisons between Kendall and Logan's relationship and Vito Corleone and Michael Corleone with those split screens. Very smart. They must've had that in their storyboards when they wrote the characters.
I’m loving these succession character analysis videos!
Just a very brilliant observation indeed and so elegantly presented Jeremy Strong's performance is spellbinding - in every scene. He is an actor of immense range. When he laughs, for rare example, I get the feeling that it is an out-take because he's completely authentic. Succession has revealed the astounding talent of many little known actors; Sara Snook, Harriet Walter and Matthew McFadyen. I live and breathe this brilliant series. Alas , I predict that Roman will be the ruination of Kendall by ruthlessly divulging the circumstances of the drowning of the young Englishman.
He's incredible. Thank you for this insight into his art!
Never stop making these please 😭
Jeremy is our number one boy
kendall's character development is crazy, watching the first season i despised him, but as the show unfolded i just empathized with him more and more
Jeremy Strong is such a 🐐
I will follow him anywhere! Can’t wait to see what the future brings!!
"Its you, it has always been you"
Jeremy is absolutely perfect in this role. He literally was Kendall. This is not acting. He lived Kendall's life.
Just found this channel so happy I have. Some great stuff.
Your vids have made me respect actors in a whole new way.
Amazing actor... going beyond the norm. So believable, he was Kendal perfected. Good job!
I first noticed him in the movie “Parkland”. Amazing movie. Parkland Hospital in Dallas is where JFK was sent after being shot. Jeremy doesn’t come in until the very end, and he’s not in it much, but the dude played freaking Lee Harvey Oswald (the suspected sh00ter, depending on who you ask, lol). He’s just....weird, and eerie. He has such a huge role yet so little screen time. It’s almost perfect though. You’re kind of waiting the entire movie for Lee Harvey Oswald to make an entrance, and Jeremy definitely delivers. I remember telling my fiancé “omg who is this guy?! He looks just like him and gives you the creeps....” I Googled him then let it go, not knowing what a colossal re-entrance Jeremy would make ❤️
One of the best actors working at the time with being potential of being to become one of the greatest of of all time
Your videos are always great, but I've really been enjoying these Succession videos. Every time a new one pops up, I get excited knowing that I'm about to learn new little nuances about this amazing show.
Dude thank you for these videos. I could watch your videos on Succession all day
I renember Jeremy Strong's wonderful performance in 2014 movie "The Judge" with Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr.
Easily some of my favorite performances, season after season, that I’ve seen over the last decade… Jeremy Strong is a genius.