The real-life drama of Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul behind Fox News, and how it mirrors HBO’s hit show Succession.

Rupert Murdoch, with his $19.7 billion empire, has always kept one burning question hanging: "Who will inherit it?" His family’s real-life power struggles and rivalries are strikingly similar to the tension and intrigue we see on Succession.

Much like Logan Roy in the show, Murdoch has expertly played his children against one another in a high-stakes game of succession. For years, he kept the identity of his successor a secret, fueling a behind-the-scenes legal battle among his six children from three of his four ex-wives.

Let’s start with Lachlan Murdoch, who is often seen as the heir apparent, much like Kendall Roy. Lachlan left the family business in 2005 to pursue his own ventures but returned in 2014 after a costly misstep. Despite his influential roles at News Corp and Fox Corporation, Lachlan’s rise has faced significant competition from his siblings, echoing Kendall’s struggles within the show.

Next, we have James Murdoch, who shares similarities with Roman Roy. James was embroiled in the News International phone-hacking scandal, which deeply affected his status in the family. His more liberal views and turbulent career path contrast with Roman’s rebellious nature, but both are seen as outsiders in their own ways.

Elisabeth Murdoch resembles Shiv Roy in her journey. Elisabeth started Shine Group, which was later sold to News Corp, and has expressed frustration with her father’s lack of support, similar to Shiv’s conflicts with Logan. While Elisabeth has forged her own path with her company Sister, her strained relationship with Rupert mirrors Shiv’s battles with her father.

Prudence Murdoch, the eldest sibling, parallels Connor Roy. Often sidelined and with limited involvement in the family business, Prudence’s occasional outbursts and marginalization highlight her role, much like Connor’s position in the show.

We also have Grace Murdoch and Chloe Murdoch, who play more minor roles in the family saga. Grace’s public charity work and Chloe’s low-profile life add depth to the family dynamic, though they’re less directly reflected in the show.

The Murdoch family's real-life drama and rivalries are as compelling as anything on Succession. The show’s Waystar Royco, with its vast empire and internal conflicts, draws clear inspiration from Murdoch’s News Corp, albeit with some fictional twists like theme parks and cruise lines. The core characters in Succession reflect the Murdoch siblings’ ambitions and complicated relationships, making the real-life drama almost as gripping as the on-screen saga.

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