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Succession's Grand Dames are Powerful—and All Over 60

HBO’s Succession is, at its core, about a very white, very patriarchal family-run conservative media conglomerate, but in its second season a small sorority emerges within the belly of the beast. Much of the show’s sophomore run focuses on Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) quest to purchase a rival liberal news empire, presumably based on CNN, that’s diametrically opposed to everything he stands for. The fictional PGN—and the family behind it—isn’t only left-wing but highly intellectual and women-run. Cherry Jones plays the matriarch of the Pierce family, Nan Pierce, with Holly Hunter starring as her right hand, Rhea Jarrell. The season also focuses on Cyd Peach (Jeannie Berlin) the head of the Roy’s Fox News-esque TV station, and trusty family fixer Gerri Killman (J. Smith-Cameron), rounding out an impressive squad of veteran actresses. Between them they’re Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe winners. And they all happen to be over the age of 60. Unlike other women of a certain age on television, they’re not mothers or grandmothers. They’re not retired. They’re general counsels, CEOs, and heads of global networks whose concerns appear to be less about being aging women in demanding jobs and more about making money, wielding influence, and not getting fucked with. Basically, they’re no different than the men on the show.

By Hollywood standards, this is pretty radical. During the 2018-2019 television season, 56% of female characters were in their 20s and 30s. Just 3% of women were 60 and above. But female representation is something that’s top of mind for Succession’s creator, Jesse Armstrong. “We’re aware that this world of media moguls and bankers is male-dominated, [but] when we have the opportunity to have more women on the show we gravitate towards it,” he tells Glamour. “Jeannie, Holly, Cherry, and J. are a delight to write for. They’re not straightforward ‘women’ [roles], there’s a lot you get to sink your teeth into.”

Gerri Killman (J. Smith-Cameron) ,the Roy’s de facto “Michael Cohen.”

When Smith-Cameron, 62, first auditioned to play Waystar Royco’s general counsel, the role was written as a man. But after she read for it, Gerry became Gerri. What Smith-Cameron finds exceptional about her role, and the show’s other female powerhouses is that they’re like nothing you’ve ever seen before. “We’re not generic. You could say that we’re all middle aged ball-busters, but we’re quirkier than that,” she says. “[We’re] specifically drawn and that within itself is a very revolutionary thing on television.” Initially Gerri was only slated to appear in a few episodes. But when Succession came back this summer, Gerri and her pithy retorts had become a mainstay of the series. Smith-Cameron also found herself with a shocking new plot line: a quasi affair with the youngest Roy, 30-something Roman (Kieran Culkin). While there’d always been a steady kinship between family jester Roman and his frequent ally, things hit a fever pitch when it morphed into a full-on dominant and submissive relationship. A twist as stunning to the actors as it was to the audience. “Roman and Gerri having any glimmer of a sexual relationship is itself rather radical,” she says. “Sometimes it’s sort of amusing, others it’s disgusting, but what’s so fun is you can’t pigeonhole it. She’s so snarky and he’s so nasty—there’s a kind of sympatico to it.”

Along with a meaty plotline, the second season also reunited Smith-Cameron with old friends. The very first play she performed in New York, Crimes of the Heart on Broadway, was alongside Hunter, 61. Then years later she starred in two different shows with her now-pal, Jones. Plus, Jones and Hunter also have a special relationship all their own. Together they were the only “Southern girls” during their time Carnegie Mellon, and after college Hunter stayed with Jones on 71st Street while going on auditions in New York City. “[On Succession] we’d work and then all go to the bar, have a drink, dinner, and practically tuck each other in at the end of the night we were having so much fun,” says Jones, 62. “Now that Holly, J., and I had that wonderful reunion we’re back in each other’s lives for keeps. We’re already making dates for lunch when they get back to New York. [It’s been] a boom for our friendship.”

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A Year Later, the Women's March Is More Powerful—and Pertinent—Than Ever

Exactly 365 days after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, citizens across the world are gathering, signs in hand, to march once again in protest. Since last year’s rallies—led by the historic Women’s March on Washington—it’s safe to say there’s a hell of a lot more to mobilize for in 2018, including the rise of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, the fate of DACA, and devastating comments made by the leader of the free world including the one about Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations being “shitholes.”

In New York, jewelry designer Nicole Novick tells Glamour that marching this year felt particularly pressing—which is why she and her husband brought their six-year-old twin sons. “I wanted my boys to see what people can do with their hearts and voices—what it looks like to be a force of change,” she says, adding that one of her sons made a sign—without her help!— that says “Be kind to every girl,” and the other chose “Word to your mother.” “As a woman and a [mom], it’s my duty to raise boys that grow up to be good men.”

Those in Park City, Utah, for the annual Sundance film festival, also took time out to march at a rally with speakers that included Jane Fonda. New York magazine events director Tara Reilly is there for work and says the strength-among- women energy is palpable. “A spark has definitely been lit and women are speaking up,” she says. “I’m inspired by strong voices in the entertainment industry, including legends like Jane, coming together to demand change.” She added that she was particularly inspired by something Fonda said: “When we are equal, we are not abused.”

I’m glad more people are getting an understanding of how deep and pervasive the white male patriarchy is in our society, government and culture

Robyn Duda, who just left a large publicly-traded company to start her own design firm, says she’s marching in Philadelphia for “all the women who get the job done well and continue to be paid less than their male counterparts,” adding that “diversity within large company executive teams continues to be embarrassing.”

Her sign, appropriately, reads “Take your 20 cents and invest it in manners.” “We all know women still make 80 cents to the dollar a man makes,” she says. “I can’t wait to see the day where the boardroom and employee pay structure is truly a reflection of a person’s work and not gender or age.”

Other marchers were as hopeful, certainly, but also outraged—and admit their feelings provided impetus to get out and protest.

“It’s been a really frustrating and saddening year,” said New York-based event planner and marcher Allyson Brassard, while non-profit animal shelter director, Brittany Feldman, says she’s ready to march for “the simple fact we have a racist running our country.” Minneapolis-based community outreach director Shaina Smith agrees. “I’m glad more people are getting an understanding of how deep and pervasive the white male patriarchy is in our society, government and culture,” she says “For those of us who were already aware, it’s been an exhausting year.”

There’s a second feminist revolution coming in this country and the world better get ready for it.”

Lydia Pitcher, a college professor in Albany, New York, has a message for the current administration: wake up and pay attention, particularly to people of color. “When you make things better for minority women, you make things better for everyone,” she says. “Folks who are able should consider investing in black-led organizing for political and economic change rather than continuing to fund mainstream efforts which can unintentionally undermine efforts to fight white supremacy and the patriarchy.” She cites Higher Heights, an organization committed to harnessing the power of black women from the voting booth to political leadership, as a good place to start.

In New York, editor Noah Silverstein echoed Pritcher’s idea of marginalized communities needing more recognition. “There hasn’t been any relief for anyone whose human rights are not guaranteed in the eyes of the administration: women, immigrants, the LGBTQIA community, and more,” he said. “As an out gay man, I feel it’s my responsibility to show up and be vocal.”

As far as the future is concerned, those on the ground remain optimistic in spite of the challenges that President Trump and his supporters are pretending don’t exist, but acknowledge that a strength-in-numbers mentality is key to propel change.

“Being part of the women’s march again makes me feel like I’m not alone in my anger and fear about what this administration is doing,” Melissa Berger, who works in philanthropy in New York, says. “I feel that women are the future like never before. We will lead on the issues of women’s rights, immigration rights, black lives matter, sexual assault and harassment. There’s a second feminist revolution coming in this country and the world better get ready for it.”

Abigail McCoy contributed to this report

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