‘Succession’ Director Mark Mylod Breaks Down Kendall’s Ending, That Violent Hug and Shiv’s Heel Turn: It’s ‘Screamingly Inevitable’

Did you incorporate any visual cues in Season 4 that could foreshadow the ending?

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No, I actively steered clear of that temptation. I didn’t want to employ any gimmicks or tricks in that regard. I suppose there’s an element of ego in that type of direction that doesn’t align with the visual language of our show. My approach was to remain highly analytical, detached, and laser-focused, maintaining an unwavering honesty in how we framed and captured the action. It’s unlike any other project I’ve worked on in the sense that the camera had to maintain a stark and unfeeling demeanor, refusing to be swayed by whimsy or emotion. Its primary duty was to encapsulate the truth in a manner that hopefully conveys the impression of barely keeping pace with unfolding events without preempting them. Above all, it was crucial that it refrained from any hint of playfulness. I firmly believe that our camera should never indulge in playfulness in any form, so I had to resist those inclinations whenever they arose.

Regarding the final shot, where Kendall is seen gazing out at the Hudson River, how did you select the location, and what led you to draw a parallel with an earlier scene of Logan walking through Central Park with Colin?

The introduction of Colin was an attempt to harken back to Episode 1, where we had the iconic duck walk through Central Park with Colin and Logan. Establishing the final shot in Central Park seemed disconnected from the emotional authenticity of the moment. Kendall would have left Waystar and just kept walking. This scene takes place merely an hour after the boardroom meeting, so I aimed for geographical accuracy, which led us to downtown. I’m familiar with the area because I live in Brooklyn. I walked the route from Brooklyn Bridge towards Chelsea, and it felt like the very southern tip of Manhattan, near Bowling Green, was the perfect location. It resonated emotionally with the scene’s essence.

Filming the scene presented its challenges, not due to any script deficiencies, as the script was quite precise in Kendall walking towards the water, with the reveal of Colin lurking behind him, reminiscent of Banquo’s Ghost (though that might be my own reference, not the script’s). The straightforward part was executing the reveal. The true difficulty lay in achieving a sense of closure, making it weighty enough. Initially, when we were amidst the park’s trees, despite employing high-angle shots, moonlit scenes, tracking shots, and even envisioning Nick Britell’s outstanding score, it didn’t possess the necessary gravity. The closer we moved toward the water, the more it clicked. Jeremy was particularly eager to reach the water’s edge, so we shifted our action there, and that’s when we stumbled upon what felt like a golden opportunity.

We embarked on a 10-minute take, utilizing a 1,000-foot roll of film, and continued to film. It was a bitterly cold day, quite possibly the coldest of the year, with a windchill that dipped into sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures, making it an absolute ordeal to shoot. Initially, Jeremy was battling the cold. However, as we approached the water’s edge, we found ourselves in this splendid, emotionally charged atmosphere. My camera operator and I choreographed our movements to capture those moments and to connect the character with the water, conveying the gravitational pull it had on him. It all started to come to life. By the conclusion of that 10-minute take, I was certain that we had captured something deserving of the immense responsibility that comes with being the final scene of the series.

Jeremy Strong mentioned on the “Succession” podcast that, for one take, he ventured over the railing and towards the water. I’ve also heard that the scene where Kendall re-enters the boardroom was unscripted. How do you manage the delicate balance between these tightly scripted moments in the series finale and the spontaneous choices made by the actors, some of which seem crucial to the final product?

That’s the underlying philosophy we’ve established for the show. We begin with exceptional writing, ensuring that we execute it faithfully and do it justice. Then, we allow room for what I like to call “freebies” – it’s a playground, a bit of jazz. This is where we have the opportunity to explore around the moment, taking it further, and sometimes these improvisations make it into the final cut, while other times they do not. It’s a method that allows us to leverage the immense talent at our disposal and expand upon the moment beyond the confines of the script’s pages.

In the instances you mentioned, both were genuinely intriguing moments. Of course, safety was our foremost concern when Jeremy ventured towards the frigid water. Our initial priority was ensuring his well-being. Once we had safely returned him over the railing, we were able to continue with the moment because both actors remained fully engaged. As for the scene of Kendall reentering the boardroom, it’s a classic occurrence in our working method. Actors often feel compelled to give it one more try, and our stage and cast setup are designed to accommodate this approach. We position ourselves in a way that allows the camera to embody the essence of barely keeping pace with unfolding events. We intentionally structure our environment to facilitate such moments and be adaptable to them.

Regarding the waiter’s return in the final episode, particularly at what could be considered the most pivotal moment in Kendall’s life, how significant was it for the storyline?

It serves as the pivotal event that fuels Kendall’s inner turmoil and haunts his character continuously. It remains an ever-present, lurking force beneath the surface. That moment in Season 3, during Kendall’s confession in Italy when he shares this burden with his siblings, and they, within the confines of their expressions of love, respond with forgiveness, tolerance, and compassion, was profoundly meaningful in the lives of these three characters. To then deny that, along with everything that trust and sharing symbolized, constitutes a fundamental betrayal. This betrayal hits particularly hard for Roman, who might have been wavering slightly in that moment. This is what ultimately breaks the dam for him.

What was the experience like directing Sarah Snook during Shiv’s pivotal moment of realization that Kendall can’t be her choice? And what drives this decision?

One of the aspects I find most fascinating about “Succession” is that what initially appears shocking and surprising in the moment often reveals itself as undeniably inevitable upon closer examination, especially when revisiting the show. This phenomenon is evident in moments like Logan and Tom’s interaction at the end of Season 3 or Kendall’s press conference at the conclusion of Season 2. Upon a second viewing or deeper consideration, one cannot help but wonder how Shiv could genuinely support her brother. This dynamic can be traced not only across all four seasons but even within the confines of this particular episode. When Shiv learns of Matsson’s betrayal, she swiftly pivots out of necessity, viewing her new alliance with her siblings as her “least worst option.” This decision carries with it a sense of elation, as it signifies a release from the weight of ambition.

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However, that perception is ultimately illusory. Once they return to New York, and the moment draws near when she must raise her hand, Sarah instinctively peels away those layers—shedding her defenses and delusions. In Logan’s office, she observes how Stewy and Kendall appear as a pair of close allies, realizing how marginalized she could become in that dynamic. When Kendall casually places his feet on Logan’s desk, we witness Sarah’s visceral appalled reaction. As she strides down the hallway into the boardroom, in the moment, it may seem like determination and focus, but upon a second viewing, we might discern a hint of doubt. While Kendall confidently commands the board meeting, acting as though he owns the place, our attention shifts to Shiv, revealing the gradual erosion of the falsehood she’s been telling herself. By the time she must actually raise her hand, it becomes as impossible for her as it was for Roman in Season 1.

How do you interpret the intense embrace between Kendall and Roman just before the board meeting, and what was the experience of filming it?

It’s truly a brutal love story. The relationship between the brothers is incredibly intricate. Interestingly, we didn’t discuss its meaning at all. We intentionally avoided such conversations, and we tend to do that quite often with the most intricate choices the characters make. We meticulously prepared for it, considering the practical elements and the blood work. From my subjective perspective, the hug represents relief. It’s a gesture of love, albeit a brutal and self-serving one. Nevertheless, I believe it’s a gift that Kendall is extending to Roman, offering him the escape he unconsciously desires.

The terrible sadomasochism of the moment lies in the fact that what begins as a hug becomes a trap once Roman comprehends Kendall’s true intention – that the hug is meant to rip those stitches apart. The nihilism we witnessed from Roman at the end of Episode 9, as he entered that crowd, is another manifestation of this complex dynamic. He may deserve that pain, but that pain also offers relief from the burden of his destiny as the CEO. It’s an incredibly intricate interplay, and I find it fascinating for precisely that reason.