‘Succession’ Creator Jesse Armstrong Returns to HBO to Tackle a Financial Crisis

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Seven-time Emmy winner and creator of “Succession”, Jesse Armstrong, has secured his next venture. According to Variety, Armstrong is set to collaborate once more with executive producer Frank Rich on an original movie for HBO. The storyline revolves around four friends who gather during a turbulent international financial predicament.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t wait to share that Neil Armstrong’s script is in the works, and it seems we might see production start towards the latter half of this year. The studio is currently coordinating with potential actors regarding their schedules, but no names have been confirmed yet. As for the release date, it remains a mystery at this point.

Known mainly for his television work, Armstrong’s most famous production, “Succession,” concluded in 2022 following four seasons. During its broadcast, the show amassed a grand total of 19 Emmys, among them three for best drama series. Notably, several Emmys were given to Armstrong for his writing prowess. It’s no wonder that “Succession” is widely praised by critics, boasting a remarkable 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the most acclaimed series ever produced.

I’ve got to give a shout-out to myself for teaming up with Sam Bain and Andrew O’Connor to bring you the hilarious British sitcom, Peep Show. We also dreamt up Fresh Meat, a comedic drama that follows six students on their university journey. And let’s not forget my work on The Thick of It, where I penned some laughs for Peter Capaldi as he played an unapologetically profane Minister for Social Affairs.

As a dedicated cinephile, let me share that one of my favorite films is the sequel, “In the Loop,” written by the talented trio including myself, Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, and Armando Iannucci. This masterpiece was even nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for best adapted screenplay.

Armstrong Doesn’t Believe Characters Have to Grow as People

After wrapping up the show “Succession”, its creator, Armstrong, who had kept his thoughts about the series and its characters largely private, recently shared insights into the finale and the series’ narrative with NPR. In this interview, Armstrong tackled the question of why the characters in “Succession” appear static or unchanging, focusing particularly on the character development of Kendall Roy, the eldest son. Armstrong expressed:

The idea isn’t that individuals can’t transform or develop; it’s just not common, and change often happens gradually, not necessarily in a single direction. One might even say that progression as a person is equally likely to be regression, unfortunately. I would challenge the notion that this is how stories should always unfold, particularly in screenplays. Characters typically grow and learn, and this seems to be the structure of most scripts. However, I’d like to argue against this, suggesting that not every story needs to follow this pattern. It’s not necessarily the truth for all narratives. While it’s possible to craft a compelling tale using these elements, it’s not the essence of this particular show’s characters and their stories.

In time, it remains to be seen if Armstrong’s forthcoming venture will include characters undergoing development or if they’ll predominantly retain their initial traits. However, one aspect is undeniably true: the upcoming film will likely showcase Armstrong’s unique mix of biting wit and action tinged with dark humor.

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2025-01-14 01:31