Exclusive Insider Scoop: Shocking Details on Succession Season 5's Mind-Blowing Alternate Ending!

Summary

Succession season 5 was a possibility, but ultimately it was decided that season 4 would be the end of the show.

The decision to conclude the show at season 4 was the right one, as it prevented unnecessary prolongation despite the potential for additional subplots in future seasons.

The show's finale received considerable acclaim, and ending at the point where the central conflict was resolved was a suitable conclusion for the narrative.

Succession season 5 was initially a topic of discussion as creator Jesse Armstrong felt reluctant to part ways with the show. With four successful seasons under its belt, the highly praised HBO series concluded dramatically in May. The sale of Waystar RoyCo to Lukas Matsson (played by Alexander Skarsgård) resulted in Tom Wambsgans (played by Matthew Macfadyen) becoming the CEO. The Roy siblings, Kendall (played by Jeremy Strong), Roman (played by Kieran Culkin), and Shiv (played by Sarah Snook), found themselves on the outside looking in, with each character's ending perfectly tailored to their individual storylines.

However, an alternate ending plan for Succession season 5 was also considered. In a guest column for Vulture, Armstrong explained the thought process behind deciding to end the acclaimed HBO drama. As of December 2021, a fifth season was being considered due to the creator's hesitation in bidding farewell to the show. However, after extensive discussions with fellow executive producers and writers, they ultimately concluded that season 4 would serve as the show's conclusion. See Armstrong's comments below.

After the completion and airing of season three in December 2021, I gathered my fellow executive-producer-writers for a discussion. Lucy Prebble, Tony Roche, Jon Brown, and Will Tracy joined me at my office in Brixton to assess the alternative options for future seasons that I had outlined on the walls: one final season consisting of ten episodes, or two seasons with six or eight episodes each. My inclination was towards a final season with more episodes, but I had reservations about bidding farewell too quickly to the relationships and opportunities, leaving behind untapped creative potential and unwritten subplots, and abandoning untold jokes.

We had a roundtable discussion, deliberating on whether to conclude the show. Will, the pragmatic decision-maker, voted over Zoom in favor of just one more season. Jon advocated for two more, as he believed that five seasons would be the ideal duration. Tony expressed his desire for us to continue making the show, but he felt that it might be creatively wise to bring it to an end. Lucy, in my opinion, settled the matter: we could continue with a show that would become progressively sprawling and enjoyable, like a climbing plant with long limbs but still producing occasional beautiful flowers. However, the ten-episode season would be the more impactful way to conclude the series.

Succession Season 4's Ending Was Perfect

Armstrong presents a compelling argument in favor of extending Succession into a fifth season. With numerous subplots and relationships left to explore, two additional eight-episode seasons would have been preferable to the final 10-episode season that aired. However, it is ultimately a wise decision that Succession concluded after its fourth season. By avoiding the fate of other shows that overstayed their welcome, Succession concluded at the appropriate time, and its finale was hailed as one of the greatest in television history.

Despite initial reservations about ending the show after its fourth season, Armstrong and the rest of the team made the correct choice. The show's core conflict revolves around the succession of Logan Roy, and once his permanent successor was determined in the series finale, this marked the definitive conclusion of the show's narrative. Although Kendall, Roman, and Shiv's lives will undoubtedly continue, the fourth season finale of Succession saw them lose their ultimate desire: to inherit their father's legacy. Therefore, it is fitting that their story concludes here.

Source: Vulture