Successor Brian Cox has entered the lead actor category for the Emmys
Success star Brian Cox has entered the lead actor category for the Emmys, which could lead to the HBO show becoming the first show ever to receive THREE lead actor nominations
Although he only appeared in three episodes before his surprise death, Brian Cox has applied for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category at the Emmy Awards.
Cox, 76, has previously been nominated twice in the Leading Actor category in 2020 and 2022 for his portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy.
Cox’s submission for the Leading Actor Emmy was confirmed by Varietywhich could lead to a historic Emmy season for the HBO series.
In April, it was reported that Kieran Culkin will also be submitted in the Leading Actor category, following two nominations for a Supporting Actor, with Jeremy Strong also set to compete for the Leading Actor.
If all three Succession stars are nominated, it will be the first time a series has garnered three nominations in the Leading Actor category, for drama or comedy shows.
Lead actor: Although he only appeared in three episodes before his surprise death, Brian Cox has applied for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category at the Emmy Awards
Twice: Cox, 76, has previously been nominated twice in the Leading Actor category in 2020 and 2022 for his portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy
While it will make history on the lead’s side if all three actors are nominated, it’s happened a few times on the lead’s side.
The Golden Girls stars Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Bea Arthur were nominated all together in 1986 and 1987, with all three actresses eventually winning an Emmy each during the show’s run.
ABC’s Desperate Housewives also made the trifecta in 2005 with nominations for Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman, who eventually won the Emmy.
Strong won for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2020 and he was nominated in 2020.
Culkin was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2020 and 2022, though this is his first year submitting in the Lead Actor category.
As for Cox, his character Logan Roy was killed off in a rather surprising fashion – he went into cardiac arrest on an airplane – during the third episode of the fourth and final season.
He appeared in last week’s episode in the form of a previously recorded video for Waystar Royco’s Investor Day.
It’s unclear if Cox will appear in any other episodes this season, but if he does, he’ll be disqualified from submission in the guest star category.
History: While it will make history on the lead actor’s side if all three actors are nominated, it has happened a few times on the lead actress’ side
Killed: As for Cox, his character Logan Roy was killed off in a rather surprising way – he went into cardiac arrest on an airplane – during the third episode of the fourth and final season
Video: He appeared in last week’s episode in the form of a previously shot video for Waystar Royco’s Investor Day
Unclear: It’s unclear if Cox will appear in other episodes this season, but if he does, he would be disqualified from submission in the guest star category
Emmy rules state that an actor cannot appear in more than 50% of the season’s episodes, and Cox has appeared in four episodes of the fourth and final season, which will run for 10 episodes, with the series finale set for May 28.
Sarah Snook, who plays Shiv on the series, will also shift from supporting actress to lead actress, with Alexander Skarsgard vying for supporting actor after appearing in his fifth episode of the season in Sunday’s new episode, Tailgate Party.
He will compete against Nicholas Braun (Greg Hirsch), Alan Ruck (Connor Roy) and Matthew Macfadyen (Tom Wambsgans), who won Supporting Actor last year.
Succession made Emmy history in 2022 with the most acting nominations in a single year with 14.