Succession season four is officially in full swing, and — spoiler alert — the actual succession is finally taking place. It’s only fitting that we examine the intricate personalities of each of the show’s complicated characters, and determine what each enigmatic, foul-mouthed member of the Waystar Royco clan would be in food form.
Logan Roy: Filet Mignon
While filet mignon may be the cream of the crop when it comes to cuts of red meat, it is free of the frills that come with more opulent steak dishes. Logan may be committed to his money and his business, but he is far from flashy. As both the patriarch of the Roy family and the founder and CEO of media conglomerate Wayster Royco, Logan radiates richness in an uncomplicated, no-nonsense way that mirrors not only his often stern — and stern is an understatement — personality, but the simple elegance of filet mignon.
Kendall Roy: Surf and Turf
The most extravagant of Logan Roy’s kin, the oldest child of Logan’s second wife enjoys nothing more than flaunting his wealth. Kendall desperately wants to be like his father, but unlike Logan, Kendall’s personality requires attention to thrive. Not content with being as quiet about his wealth as his father, Kendall thinks he has to be more. Much like Surf and Turf, Kendall’s core aim is to be extravagant, almost to a fault — who can really stand to finish an entire steak and a lobster tail at once?
Siobhan “Shiv” Roy: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Youngest child and only daughter Siobhan “Shiv” Roy is the black sheep of the Roy family, with her opposing political views and original occupation outside the family business. Yet when she gets pulled into the raucousness of Waystar Royco, she gets a gilded edge of glamor that hides her true down-to-earth nature. In shedding her long locks and baggy sweaters for a sleek bob and chic pant suits, Shiv truly embodies chocolate covered strawberry. While she may be enough on her own, to live up to the family name, she must hide her true self with the glitz that only an extra saccharine layer can provide.
Roman Roy: Cronut
Roman Roy truly exudes the attitude of a middle child, creating the kind of attention-seeking chaos and humor that is much more naturally comedic than his older brother’s. Much like the cronut, Roman is trying desperately to straddle two worlds — the promisingly lucrative one of his father and the more morally sound one of his siblings. Good in theory but not in practice, both Roman and his hopes of a balancing act in reality fall flat, as, like his edible counterpart, he is just too much and too messy to function for his intended role in Waystar Royco.
Connor Roy: Truffle Cheeseburger
Never afraid to assert his position as “the eldest son,” Connor Roy prefers to stay out of the drama of Waystar Royco, and instead forge his own path in politics. Similar to the truffle cheeseburger, Connor likes to cling to his all-American platform and roots but has his own sense of luxuriousness that prevents him from being the true, practical politician he seeks to be. From his $63 million home purchase to his honeymoon on the campaign trail, Connor can never fully shed his desire for extravagance. Both Connor and the truffle cheeseburger are a twist on an American classic, though perhaps neither are received as positively as they hope.
Gerri Kellman: Salmon
The most pragmatic and logical of the Waystar Royco operation, General Counsel Gerri Killman is a force to be reckoned with. Gerri typically tries to avoid harm to others while advancing her own career in the conglomerate, and like a beautifully cooked piece of salmon, is just the right amount of elegance while still being financially savvy. Unlike the tough cuts of meat she is often surrounded by, Gerri moves through the company with an ease and sophistication rivaled only by her edible counterpart. Still, Gerri manages to showcase a dark and taboo side through her brief relationship with Roman, illustrating that though both she and salmon are considered sensible options, it doesn’t mean that they can’t still surprise you.
Tom Wambsgans: Skirt Steak, Well Done
Tom Wambsgans — husband of Shiv and chairman of global broadcast news at the company’s news branch — is enraptured by the Roy family and their prestige. While he aims to be at the top, he simply isn’t cut out for it, whether that be because of his background or his personality. Having not come from much money, Tom embodies the seemingly lesser cut of steak, a New York strip. However, his apparent inferior qualities are also present in his actions, as he feels the need to stoop low in order to get to where he aims to be: Logan’s seat. Though both Tom and a strip steak attempt to emulate those at the top, nearly all of their attributes relegate them to being far below it.
Greg Hirsch: Chicken Parmesan
The closest confidante of Tom, Greg Hirsch uses his status as a cousin of the Roy family to scheme his way into the arms of not only the company, but a few influential women. Similarly to a steaming plate of chicken parmesan, Greg is the cheapest meal at a five-star restaurant for these women — not quite on par with the rest of the menu, but close enough. Greg is often considered to be the most “grassroots” of the characters on the show, having not been raised with the wealth of his family, but like a decadent cutlet topped with marinara and mozzarella, he finds a way to make himself a part of the elite clan. Unfortunately, the longer Greg and a plate of chicken parmesan sit out, the slimier they get, which only further illustrates their shortcomings.
Frank Vernon: Creme Brûlée
Vice Chairman of Waystar Royco Frank Vernon is a proud friend and legal advisor of Logan. Frank, like creme brûlée, has a sharp and crackly business edge to him, despite occasionally showcasing a much softer, weaker side, such as when he refuses to return to Waystar Royco after being removed as COO. He can also sense this double-sided personality in others, as he has a keen eye for examining people’s motivations beneath the surface. Like a creme brûlée, Frank is much more than what he seems to be on the outside and continues to defy expectations.
Willa Ferreyra: Honey Sticks
Willa Ferreyra, fiancée of Connor, may seem a ditsy, inconsequential character — but don’t let her fool you. To Connor, she appears little more than sweet, as he underestimates her and her career as a playwright. However, like honey sticks, Willa has much more substance than meets the eye and is stronger than expected. Additionally, both Willa and honey sticks represent the importance of symbiotic relationships; in the same way that Willa and Connor’s relationship is often transactional, the relationship between bees and flowers that create honey is based off similar, and more biological, ideals.