Shiv is the boss!
In “Succession,” Sarah Snook plays Roy’s youngest daughter, Siobhan “Shiv” Roy, who doesn’t sit idly by while her new co-CEO brothers run the Waystar Royco media empire – and neither does Snook with her Emmy chances. Variety has learned exclusively that Snook will be submitted in the Leading Dramatic Actress category for this year’s Primetime Emmys, changing from her supporting bids for the previous three seasons.
“Succession” exhibits his finest writing, staging and acting in the short history of the show. With each new weekly episode, Snook has shone in spectacular fashion, becoming the star of the sprawling big ensemble season. This campaign shift could now firmly cement her as the presumed frontrunner for TV’s most coveted award for acting.
Read: Variety Awards Circuit for the latest Emmy predictions.
In an upcoming episode of Variety Awards Circuit Podcast with his “Succession” co-star Kieran Culkin, he revealed his decision to run as the lead drama actor for his performance as Roman in the HBO drama. “I think this season was set up before episode three happened as Logan versus Shiv, Roman, Kendall,” Culkin said. “And then [Logan] happening, and that’s what I think is the central focus of the series – the three. So if I support, that would mean Kendall and Shiv are too. And to me, it doesn’t feel like the show.
It seems that Snook strongly agrees with his assertion. Variety had reported discussions between the Culkin and Snook teams about changing their Emmy submissions. Now, with his two on-screen brothers confirmed for the main deals, two sources tell Variety the Aussie actor will follow suit, including Culkin while taping the episode saying, “She will. It’s not a conspiracy. Someone is paying attention, and if you watch the show, it is what it is.
Representatives for HBO and Snook have not confirmed a decision regarding his submission.
Nonetheless, five episodes into the season, Snook demonstrated an astonishing range of emotions as the political fixer of this fourth and final season. From his heartbreaking “Dad?” over the phone during this week’s masterful “Kill List” episode “Connor’s Wedding” which features his fiery and seemingly calculated exchange with Lukas Mattson (played by Alexander Skarsgård) – not to mention whether Shiv just doing a line of cocaine when I’m 20 weeks pregnant was a wild ride.
Snook and Shiv dominated the social media chatter after each episode, with many pundits and viewers agreeing that no matter where she submits, she brings home the statuette – which, surprisingly, she hasn’t yet succeeded in. Fun fact: She would be the first Australian to win in either the lead or supporting dramatic actress categories.
Snook received two previous nominations as a supporting drama actress for the second and third seasons of “Succession,” which she was favored to win but surprisingly lost both to Julia Garner for “Ozark,” which didn’t is not eligible this season. However, Snook has received other accolades, including winning Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards in 2022 and earning a SAG nomination in Lead Drama Actress (which is especially telling considering the SAG Awards didn’t of supporting television categories).
What’s more, the move puts HBO in a viable position to follow in the footsteps of Pop TV comedy “Schitt’s Creek” and Netflix period drama “The Crown” — two shows that made Emmy history by sweeping all major categories at their respective ceremonies in 2020 and 2021.
“Succession” is considered the clear favorite for Outstanding Drama Series, with Culkin and Strong among lead actor favorites (Cox is still TBD), Matthew Macfadyen and Skarsgård leading the supporting actor races. And now co-star J. Smith Cameron, who plays the sage Gerri, can play for her first trophy after two previous nominations.
Cameron and Snook get an advantage their male counterparts don’t – the potential to split votes with their co-stars in the same race.
Up front, Snook is set to take on other beloved cast members such as ‘Yellowjackets’ star Melanie Lynskey, who in her usual fashion showered Snook with praise on social media, most recently after the episode “Connor’s Wedding”stating, “All, every one of them are amazing. But SARAH SNOOK this episode…my lord. Sarah Snook for the last three seasons too. She is amazing ❤️💔❤️”
The Ave Maria could pay off.
“Succession” airs Sundays on HBO.