Summary

• Logan Roy's manipulative nature shines in Succession, showcasing his control over his family and employees.
• Logan's vulnerability emerges in rare heartfelt moments, revealing his love for his children despite his callousness.
• Brian Cox puts on a compelling performance as Logan, capturing all of the character's nuance impressively.

Succession is all about the Roy siblings' attempts to inherit their father's media empire, and some of Logan Roy's best scenes find him in conflict with his children over their efforts. Although the Roy siblings each get significant screen time throughout HBO's hit drama, Logan is the central focus of the show. This is why it's so jarring when he dies suddenly in the midst of Succession's final season. Of course, Brian Cox only takes his final bow after three-plus seasons of impressive performances as Logan Roy.

And Logan is center stage in some of the best Succession episodes and scenes, leaving a lasting impression that remains even after his season 4 death. As the family patriarch and head honcho at Waystar Royco, Logan has the opportunity to showcase a wide range of emotions throughout the show's run. His greatest hits typically involve him manipulating his kids or employees. However, there are also a few surprisingly heartfelt scenes that add a layer of complexity to Logan's character.

Succession seasons 1-4 is currently available to stream on Max.

9 Boar On The Floor

Succession Season 2, Episode 3 - "Hunting"

Succession's Boar on the Floor scene is one of the show's most hilarious and ridiculous moments, and it depicts what a hold Logan has over the people who work for him. Upon realizing there's a rat among them, he interrogates the group at dinner. He then subjects them to a ridiculous game called Boar on the Floor, intended to root out the dishonest and treacherous players among them. The fact that the group goes along with it shows how well Logan's fearmongering and divide-and-conquer strategy works. This scene offers a sharp and honest look at Logan's character, but its brevity makes it the weakest of his best scenes.

8 Logan & Kendall's Meeting With Josh

Succession Season 3, Episode 4 - "Lion in the Meadow"

In the midst of Logan and Kendall's falling out in Succession season 3, the two characters meet with one of their investors: Josh. Josh is rightfully concerned about how the family feud is impacting the company, and the duo attempts to convince him it isn't a problem. Logan proves how manipulative he is, arguing that everything will be okay — and using what a good kid Kendall is as his argument to prove it. His comments are a double-edged sword, and it's clear he holds contempt for both Kendall and Josh. However, this moment shows how Logan gets what he wants so often. It also leads to some vulnerability later.

With Josh having the Roys walk with him during their meeting, Logan soon finds himself out of breath. His age and declining health clearly factor into this, but he refuses to let the enemy see him as weak. It's telling how he attempts to keep going regardless of how bad his symptoms get. It's a condemning portrayal of a character consumed by pride, and Cox does a brilliant job with it. There are far more powerful moments in Succession, and Josh isn't a major character. That's why this ranks on the lower end of Logan's best moments despite being a great scene.

7 Logan Saves Kendall

Succession Season 1, Episode 10 - "Nobody Is Ever Missing"

Logan confronts Kendall after the death of the waiter at Shiv's wedding — a death Kendall accidentally caused while driving intoxicated. He approaches the situation coolly, showing how callous he can be, especially towards people he deems unimportant. This scene highlights how terrible Logan is, but it also shows his willingness to do anything for his kids and family's image. It's one of his more vulnerable moments from season 1, especially when he tells Kendall he's his "number one boy." Rare glimpses of his love for his kids make Logan a more complex character. Unfortunately, Jeremy Strong is the true standout of this scene, and Cox has even better performances elsewhere.

6 Asking Shiv If He's Got It Right

Succession Season 2, Episode 8 - "Dundee"

Logan and Shiv have a heartfelt discussion during an event honoring his career in Succession season 2's "Dundee." This is another scene where Logan gets surprisingly vulnerable, and without major stakes, it actually comes off as somewhat genuine. Logan rarely questions himself or his decisions throughout Succession, so him asking Shiv if he's getting it right is a big deal. His angry outbursts and deeper moments are more memorable and fun to watch. However, this hits home, almost allowing it to break into his top five moments.

5 Succession Season 1's Board Room Vote

Succession Season 1, Episode 6 - "Which Side Are You On?"

Kendall makes an attempt to oust his father as the head of Waystar Royco in Succession season 1 by calling for a vote of no confidence. Logan's reaction to this vote is hilariously in character, with his anger and entitlement cropping up multiple times throughout the scene. This moment drives home exactly how Logan runs his company: through fear. He refuses to leave the room, and he yells and insults people while they cast their votes. This is the Succession scene that establishes who Logan is as a father, leader, and businessman. Cox's performance is perfect, landing it in the top five scenes — though several later moments are more powerful.

4 Logan's Dinner With Kendall

Succession Season 3, Episode 8 - "Chiantishire"

Kendall and Logan's falling out in Succession season 3 comes to a head in "Chiantishire," which sees the pair sitting down to dinner after numerous episodes full of tension. Logan shows his true nature multiple times throughout this scene. He even has his grandson try his food before him, callously suggesting Kendall might try to poison him. Upon Kendall's request for a payout — and his insistence that his father is corrupt — Logan breaks down what it takes to get to where he is. And his speech to Kendall highlights Succession's central themes, amplifying how unfeeling Logan has to be to achieve what he has.

Logan's bitter insistence that he did his best with his kids, all while throwing Kendall's mistakes in his face, also speaks to who he is as a parent. This scene is great precisely because it reveals Logan at his core, and it easily falls in his top-five moments for this reason. Cox's acting is stellar here, but it does stand out more in a few other Succession episodes.

3 Logan's ATN Newsroom Speech

Succession Season 4, Episode 2 - "Rehearsal"

One of Cox's top performances as Logan Roy occurs in the Succession season 4 episode "Rehearsal," when he visits ATN. The Roy family keeps the news organization in the Matsson deal, and it's clear that Logan is committed to putting all his energy into it. He visits the ATN newsroom and gives a rousing speech to his employees — one that's really a bit much considering they have no reason to be as invested as he is. Still, Logan's energy at this moment is undeniable.

Cox really steps it up for this scene, with Logan's hilarious insistence that they're "f***ing pirates" becoming one of Succession's most memorable quotes. The absurdity and energy of this scene land it in the top three Logan Roy moments from Succession. However, it's not nearly as emotional as Logan's interactions with his kids. For that reason, there are two scenes that rank higher than this one.

2 Telling Kendall, Shiv, & Roman He Has Them Beat

Succession Season 3, Episode 9 - "All the Bells Say"

Logan has many arguments with his children over the course of Succession, but the most tense — and entertaining to watch — unfolds during the season 3 finale. After hearing Lukas Matsson's offer to buy Waystar Royco, Logan gets to work on drawing up a deal. His children attempt to stop him from going through with it, but he's prepared for their attack. He prevents their supermajority play by reworking his divorce agreement with Caroline. And he doesn't go easy on his kids after they attempt to betray him. This moment showcases Logan's darkest side, from his comments about Kendall to his mimicry of Shiv.

Cox nails it with his performance during Succession season 3's ending, and his "you come for me with love" monologue is every bit as intimidating and manipulative as it should be. His takeaway from the entire encounter also shows how much he prioritizes his ego and pride over his familial relationships. That's the reason he emphasizes winning after this finale showdown. This is by far Logan's second-best scene in all of Succession for the sheer scope of emotion alone. However, there's one moment that's even better, showcasing a very different side of the character.

1 "You Are Not Serious People"

Succession Season 4, Episode 2 - "Rehearsal"

Logan dies in Succession season 4, episode 3, but his best scene of the entire show takes place during the previous installment. "Rehearsal" finds Logan crashing Connor's birthday party and attempting to reconnect with his estranged children. It's one of the most vulnerable moments Logan has throughout all four seasons of Succession, and it alludes to his poor health and the irreparable relationship between him and his kids. Cox plays both elements of this interaction well, hinting at what's to come through Logan's mellowed behavior and frustrations with the lighting.

Cox really captures his character's frailty in this scene, which makes sense given the events of "Connor's Wedding." It's shocking to watch him take his kids' insults and it he wants to mend the personal side of things — almost as though he senses what's coming. His final sentiment also hits home after all the time spent playing his children against one another. Logan's notion that his kids "are not serious people" has become iconic and a meme, but it also marks a satisfying moment of honesty in Succession.