HBO's Succession Podcast

Host Kara Swisher unpacks the Succession series finale, “With Open Eyes,” in a two-part supersized podcast. In part one, Kara talks with Alexander Skarsgård about why his tech billionaire character, Lukas Matsson, just can’t let Waystar Royco go. Then Kara goes deep with Jeremy Strong to discuss the tragic end of Kendall and what his character really wanted all along. Part two, coming later this week, features an extended conversation with director and executive producer Mark Mylod.

This week, it’s a full house to discuss the penultimate episode of Succession, “Church and State.” First, host Kara Swisher unpacks Ewan’s surprise eulogy with actor James Cromwell. Then, she finds out how real-life funeral planner William Villanova helped the Succession team create a perfectly extravagant service for Logan Roy. And finally, Kara checks in with Jeremy Strong about Kendall’s blockbuster speech and where he stands as we head into the series finale.

Host Kara Swisher and Succession creator Jesse Armstrong unpack the electoral and familial chaos of episode 8, “America Decides.” Plus, Kara is joined by two political consultants who helped the Succession writers create this incredibly tense episode: Ben Ginsberg, a lawyer and advisor who played a central role in the Bush-Cheney administration, and Jon Klein, a political analyst and former president of CNN.

Matthew Macfadyen joins Host Kara Swisher to unpack Tom’s pre-election jitters and the state of his marriage in episode 7, “Tailgate Party.” Then, Kara chats with former Obama Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, who advised the Succession writers on how to convey the all-too-real, cozy relationship between politics and media.

Host Kara Swisher sits down with J. Smith-Cameron to process episode six, “Living+” and the future of Gerri Kellman at Waystar Royco. Plus, director Lorene Scafaria discusses how Kendall walks the line between success and failure, as he tries to follow in his father’s footsteps.