Ever since the last episode of Succession ended on *that* iconic cliffhanger, fans have been impatiently waiting for the third season to land on our screens. 

As the much-anticipated release date for Succession season three (from 2am on 18 October, FYI) inches ever-closer, we now have a first-look at the new characters being dragged into the Roy family drama in a brand new trailer.

Adrien Brody, Alexander Skarsgard and Hope Davis are all introduced into the mix in the new trailer. As per Variety, Brody guest stars as Josh Aaronson, a billionaire activist investor who becomes pivotal in the battle for the ownership of Waystar. “I thought my family was fucked up. This is next level,” he tells the Roys.

Alexander Skarsgard will also play Lukas Matsson, described as a successful, confrontational tech founder and CEO. In the trailer, we see him in a scene alongside Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin), where the two wonder when his father Logan Roy (Brian Cox) will die, “with due respect, obviously.

Tensions are high throughout the trailer, as the family must start to pick sides in the epic showdown bubbling between Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) and Logan as he attempts to take his father down without implicating himself or the company. “The whole world is watching my next move,” he speaks in the voiceover.

Other snippets include FBI agents descending on Waystar Royco, a crowd protesting the company’s cruise ship sexual misconduct scandal and Greg being offered fake cyanide capsules.

The drama comes to a close with Logan’s determined promise to go “full, fuckin’ beast” in the looming battle against Kendall.

Will this family ever resolve their issues? We won’t be holding our breath to find out. 

Watch the full trailer for Succession season 3

Originally reported 5 May 2021: It’s just been confirmed by Variety that Alexandar Skarsgård (True Blood, Big Little Lies) has joined the Succession cast as a “confrontational” new character in season three.

Before we take a closer look at Skarsgård’s new role, let’s remind ourselves of what happened in season two and what we’re expecting to find answers to next.

What happened in Succession season 2?

The Primetime Emmy Award-winning series of course follows the story of media mogul Logan Roy and his children – one of which will be his eventual successor – Kendall, Shiv, Roman and Connor. 

In the end scene of season two, Kendall made a completely unexpected stand against his controlling and corrupt father at a press conference. Instead of taking for fall for the company’s cruise ship scandal, Kendall accused Logan of having knowledge of the cover-ups, insisting his “reign” as company leader was at its “end”.

What will happen in Succession season 3?

The third season is expected to pick up exactly where things were left, in the moments following Kendall’s televised statement. 

Variety reports: “Ambushed by his rebellious son Kendall at the end of season two, Logan Roy begins season three in a perilous position. Scrambling to secure familial, political, and financial alliances, tensions rise as a bitter corporate battle threatens to turn into a family civil war.”

Who will Alexandar Skarsgård play in Succession?

We of course know Skarsgård for playing some truly dark characters: Eric Northman the vampire in True Blood and abusive husband Perry Wright in Big Little Lies.

In Succession, he will play Lukas Matsson, who is described as a “successful, confrontational tech founder and CEO”. We get the feeling that this means he’s not exactly going to be Mr Nice Guy.

When will Succession season 3 be released?

Succession season three returns to Sky Atlantic and NOW from 2am on 18 October. Seasons one and two are available to catch up now on Sky On-Demand and NOW.

Images: Getty, HBO