How Closely Is The Murdoch Family Related To Succession?

Rupert Murdoch founded News Corp, which included Fox News, the New York Post, 20th Century Fox, and European publication The Sun. The company split its assets into two publicly traded companies. Succession, a HBO series, is loosely based on the Murdoch family’s story, with the show set in 2009 on the 78th anniversary of the high-stakes succession fight in Nevada. The show revolves around wealth, power, and family tension that comes when a tycoon is choosing a successor among relatives.

The show is loosely based on the real-life family of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who has always intended to pass down his company to one of his children but has never named a successor to his media conglomerate, News Corp. The Roy family in “Succession” is most likely based on the Murdoch family, “the family of Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch”.

Rupert Murdoch is “deeply in the background” of Succession, and his work on the former informed the latter. The Murdochs: Empire of Influence explores the legacy of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the intense succession battle between his children. In an interview, Rupert Murdoch claims he hasn’t seen the show, but his latest divorce agreement prohibited his ex-wife from giving Succession.

The family has several conferences and therapy sessions in Succession, suggesting that the Murdochs have done the same. The show is set in 2009, and the Murdochs have been accused of leaking stories to the writers of Succession.

What Companies Does The Murdoch Family Own?

Rupert Murdoch, through his company News Corp, owns numerous local, national, and international media outlets, including The Sun and The Times in the UK, The Daily Telegraph and The Australian in Australia, and The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post in the US. He is recognized as a significant figure in the media industry, being a founder and former owner of the now-split News Corporation. In 2013, the company was divided into entertainment assets, now under 21st Century Fox, and publishing assets, forming the new News Corp. Murdoch's influence extends globally, with stakes in SKY Italia, British Sky Broadcasting, and TATA SKY in Asia.

His holdings include notable assets such as Fox Corporation, which encompasses FOX News, and HarperCollins Publishers. Murdoch acquired The Wall Street Journal in 2007, solidifying its status as the second most popular newspaper in the US. While he is preparing for retirement from his roles as CEO and co-chairman, the Murdoch family is currently involved in legal disputes over family trust arrangements.

The family also significantly benefited financially from the 2019 sale of 21st Century Fox to Disney, receiving approximately $2 billion each. Murdoch remains a prominent and influential figure in global media.

How Close To Real Life Is Succession?

HBO's "Succession" draws heavily from real-life billionaires and events, most notably the Murdoch family. While showrunner Jesse Armstrong asserts that the Roy family is fictional, many inspirations can be traced to powerful families such as the Murdochs and the Trumps. The show's costume designer noted subtle references to the obsessions of the superrich, highlighting connections to figures like Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul who shares similarities with the character Logan Roy.

Despite the show's fictional nature, it mirrors societal dynamics and the realities of media power struggles. Comparisons between the Roys and the Murdochs reveal numerous parallels, as "Succession" navigates themes of wealth and influence inspired by scandals including those surrounding Fox News. While the show is not directly based on true events, its characters are archetypes reflecting real-life power dynamics. As "Succession" continues to captivate audiences, its narrative remains steeped in the complexities of family businesses and the media world.

Why Does Logan Roy Have Scars On His Back?

Uncle Noah was extremely abusive towards Logan, frequently beating him to the point of leaving significant scars and burns on his back. While it is uncertain whether Ewan endured similar treatment, Logan's childhood abuse is clear and acknowledged. Brian Cox, who portrays Logan Roy in the TV series "Succession," confirmed that these scars originated from the abuse by his uncle, aligning with the show’s exploration of trauma and familial dysfunction.

Notably, in Season 1, Episode 7 ("Austerlitz"), there is a scene where Logan is seen swimming, revealing the deep scars across his back, though the show does not directly address their origin. Fans have speculated about the nature of these wounds, with theories suggesting they reflect Logan's past abuse or represent broader themes of generational trauma within the Roy family. Throughout the series, hints about Logan's abusive childhood are woven into his character, including references to a deceased sister he could not save, suggesting a deep-seated motivation to overcome feelings of worthlessness instilled by his uncle.

Despite Logan Roy being a powerful figure as the CEO of Waystar Royco, the series illustrates his complexity, caught in a cycle of trauma that has left lasting marks not only on his body but also on his psyche. Overall, the scars symbolize the profound impact of his early experiences and the generational legacy of abuse that continues to affect the Roy family dynamics.

Is Logan Roy Supposed To Be Rupert Murdoch?

Logan Roy, a character portrayed by Brian Cox in HBO's "Succession," is widely considered a blend of real-life media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the late Sumner Redstone. Murdoch, founder of News Corp, is among the world's wealthiest individuals, famous for his aggressive business strategies akin to Logan's. News Corp encompasses major assets like Fox News, The New York Post, and The Times. While "Succession" draws inspiration from Murdoch's vast media empire, with comparisons highlighting Logan and his family's dynamics, it is important to note that the Roys are not directly modeled after Murdoch or any specific individuals.

Brian Cox, in discussions about his character, rebuffed the notion that Logan is merely a reflection of Rupert Murdoch, emphasizing that although certain elements echo Murdoch's world, the narrative is fictional. The show's fourth season sees Logan involved in a power struggle over his media empire's succession, reminiscent of real-world succession issues in powerful families. Despite similarities, notable differences exist, including the family structures—Murdoch has six children compared to Logan's four. Ultimately, while Logan Roy is inspired by figures like Murdoch, he stands as a unique fictional character within the landscape of media empire drama.

Does Rupert Murdoch Own A Cruise Line?

Waystar Royco is a more extensive and diversified entity than News Corp, which remains focused on media. Waystar's holdings include theme parks and a cruise line, areas where Rupert Murdoch has little interest. Murdoch leads News Corp, the parent of various significant media outlets, and his life inspired HBO's "Succession." Despite their media focus, News Corp has tried various tech ventures. In 2014, Murdoch's 21st Century Fox and News Corp had considerable stakes in multiple sectors, including major publishing and broadcasting outlets like HarperCollins.

Murdoch also made a notable takeover bid for Dow Jones in 2007, which eventually succeeded after initial rejection. In 2019, he sold entertainment assets, including 20th Century Fox, to Disney for $71. 3 billion. Despite rumors about cruise line ownership, Murdoch only has a stake in one cruise company. His media empire entered the U. S. market in 1973 with local newspaper purchases in San Antonio.

Additionally, the Murdoch family has faced scrutiny over how they wield media influence, but the Roys of "Succession" fame have been involved in more scandalous narratives compared to the Murdochs. The Murdoch family’s legacy includes a complex succession battle amid vast media influence.

Who Runs The Murdoch Empire Now?

Rupert Murdoch has officially stepped down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp., ending his illustrious seven-decade career in media. His son, Lachlan Murdoch, has taken over as executive chairman of Fox Corp. and chairman of News Corp. This transition comes amid a complex legal battle involving Rupert Murdoch's children over the future of the family media empire, with implications for its conservative leanings. A Reno probate commissioner will determine if Rupert can amend the family trust, which currently affects the voting rights of his children.

Despite his retirement at age 93, Murdoch's influence on the media landscape remains significant, having built an empire that includes Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. Lachlan, now 52, is expected to steer the family business moving forward, maintaining the conservative direction established by his father. Rupert Murdoch retains the title of chairman emeritus but is otherwise stepping aside to allow his son to lead the conglomerate he crafted from a single Australian newspaper.

Who Is Shiv Roy Based On?

The character Shiv Roy from HBO's "Succession," portrayed by Sarah Snook, draws inspiration from Elisabeth Murdoch, the second daughter of Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The show mirrors elements of the Murdoch family's dynamics and their expansive media empire, though Waystar Royco, the fictional company in "Succession," is more diversified than News Corp, which primarily focuses on media. For instance, Waystar operates theme parks and a cruise line, ventures that Rupert Murdoch has largely avoided, despite some involvement in tech.

Elisabeth Murdoch is seen as a significant influence on Shiv Roy's character, embodying a complex, feminist narrative amidst a competitive patriarchal landscape. In contrast, Connor Roy, Logan's eldest child, navigates his inheritance differently from his half-siblings Kendall, Roman, and Shiv.

Viewers often compare characters with real-life counterparts, hypothesizing that Kendall mirrors Donald Trump Jr. while Shiv aligns with Ivanka Trump. Additionally, Shiv is initially reluctant to embrace the family’s right-wing politics, enhancing her character's complexity. The ultimate portrayal of Shiv Roy highlights her as a multifaceted character emerging from a powerful legacy, showcasing the brutal realities in familial and business ambitions. The show's final episodes provide a culmination of her journey, marked by both achievements and substantial challenges.

Who Will Inherit The Murdoch Estate?

In late 2023, the family saga surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s media empire intensified as the 93-year-old mogul sought to amend an irrevocable trust he created decades ago to ensure that his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, 52, remains in control of his vast television networks, including Fox News. This decision follows a long-standing succession battle among Murdoch's four eldest children—Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James—which partially inspired the HBO series "Succession." Murdoch's plan is now under review by a Reno probate commissioner, who will determine whether the changes to his succession strategy can be implemented to uphold the right-wing editorial stance of his media outlets.

Previously, all four children were set to inherit equal shares of the family empire, which operates in multiple countries, but significant alterations to the trust could lead to conflict among them. In 2023, Rupert stepped down as chair of News Corp and Fox Corp, emphasizing shared values with Lachlan, whom he publicly supports as his successor. The ongoing courtroom showdown centers on who will control the $14.

9 billion media empire after Murdoch's passing, with Lachlan aiming to secure exclusive governance rights, effectively sidelining his siblings in the process. The legal proceedings, reflecting the complexities of estate planning within powerful dynasties, have heightened tensions within the family.

Is Succession Based Off Of The Murdoch Family?

An elderly media mogul contemplating his successor, akin to the plot of HBO's "Succession," reflects the real-life scenario of Rupert Murdoch and his six children. The series, which returned last month for its second season, centers on the Roy family, a fictional counterpart influenced by prominent figures like Murdoch and others. Although showrunner Jesse Armstrong emphasizes the fictional nature of the characters, CNN indicates the Roys are primarily inspired by the Murdoch family, known for their extensive media empire.

While Succession draws from various powerful families, including the Trumps and Redstones, its core narrative closely mirrors Murdoch's legacy. Like Logan Roy, Murdoch has intended to pass his empire to one of his children but has never publicly named a successor. While the show arguably doesn't recount a true story, the parallels between the Roy family and the Murdochs are unmistakable. Armstrong acknowledges that the series draws from numerous sources of succession tales, solidifying its connection to the Murdoch family's complex dynamics and media influence. Ultimately, Succession embodies a "Murdochian" essence while remaining a fictional narrative.