Succession (2018) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Name: Succession
Rating: 8.3

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Follow the lives of the Roy family as they contemplate their future once their aging father begins to step back from the media and entertainment conglomerate they control.

TV-MA • 2018 • 4 seasons

8.3

1K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

16+

The Roy family — aging media mogul Logan and his four adult children — battle for control of Waystar Royco, a global media and entertainment conglomerate, while destroying each other in the process. HBO/Max. 4 seasons. One of the defining television dramas of its era: wickedly funny, deeply sad, and precise about how wealth distorts human relationships. Widely watched by teens despite its adult content.

Cast

Jeremy Strong

Kieran Culkin

Sarah Snook

Brian Cox

Matthew Macfadyen

Alan Ruck

J. Smith-Cameron

Nicholas Braun

Dagmara Dominczyk

Peter Friedman

Justine Lupe

David Rasche

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Is Succession appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Succession Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Moderate 4/10

Language Strong 6/10

Sex/Nudity Moderate 4/10

Violence/Gore Mild 2/10

Mature Themes Intense 8/10

Sex and nudity in Succession

Adult sexual content — several scenes across the season. Roman's complicated relationship with sex and power is introduced. Nothing as explicit as the show's reputation might suggest, but clearly adult.

Violence and gore in Succession

Logan's death (E03) is depicted entirely through phone calls — one of the most formally daring choices in prestige drama. The emotional violence of the season is the show at its most devastating.

Language in Succession

The season features a constant and heavy stream of profanity, including frequent use of 'f--k' and 'c--t' in both professional and casual environments. Characters use vulgarity as a weapon during corporate negotiations and family disputes, making the dialogue consistently abrasive. The language is pervasive across every episode, reflecting the aggressive culture of the Waystar Royco empire.

Mature themes in Succession

The finale's central question — who gets to lead Waystar? — resolves in a way that is simultaneously inevitable and heartbreaking. The show's final image is the correct one: Kendall alone, having won and lost everything simultaneously. The series is ultimately about how wealth is not just money but a psychological condition that prevents the people inside it from ever being fully human to each other.

Bontent Member Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Succession appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Succession is best for ages 16+. It's rated TV-MA. The Roy family — aging media mogul Logan and his four adult children — battle for control of Waystar Royco, a global media and entertainment conglomerate, while destroying each other in the process. HBO/Max. 4 seasons…

What age rating does Succession have?

Succession is rated TV-MA. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 16+.

What is Succession about?

How many seasons does Succession have?

Succession has 4 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in Succession?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across Succession.

How violent is Succession?

Violence isn't a standout concern across Succession per our reviewers.

Is the language in Succession appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across Succession.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Succession?