Succession Director Mark Mylod Breaks Down That Scene From Connor's Wedding | Vanity Fair

"On Succession, we really like to mess up weddings." If you haven't seen Connor's Wedding yet, feel free to buzz off. Director Mark Mylod breaks down that scene from Connor's Wedding you should have seen by now ahead of Succession's series finale.
Director: Frank Cosgriff
Director of Photography: Brad Wickham
Editor: Evan Allan
Celebrity Talent: Mark Mylod
Producer: Madison Coffey
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: Natasha Soto-Albors
Director, Video Talent: Lauren Mendoza
Associate Producer: Rafael Vasquez
Camera Operator: Zach Eisen
Audio: Lily Van Leuwen
Gaffer: Niklas Moller
Production Assistant: Amanda Broll
Post Production Supervisor: Ted Taylor
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[@tarantulism]

I love the small detail of making Jeremy search for Sarah, it makes the sense of panic just that bit more convincing

[@pranjallpahuja]

ikr!! i love decisions like that they really make a difference

[@Anna-vz5jl]

Absolutely

[@adrianarigano1300]

That scene to me was just amazing! I kept thinking I couldn't beleive Shiv/Sarah actually knew as an actor what was being played out. It was just so brilliant !

[@allegraedwards6386]

This is an actor's director. The amount of trust, knowledge, and confidence he has in his cast empowers and catalyzes extraordinary performances.

[@alisterfolson]

Kudos for everyone coming together to make a great series.

[@AlexNoiret]

YES!

[@omg9261]

I love how many times he repeated that the actors are smart, the props are smart even though they were there for 2 days, everyone is smart. He has so much faith and trust for people he works with ❤

[@Anna-vz5jl]

Just finished watching season 4 episode 10 last night .. wow just wow surprised that Tom is ceo wow 🎉

[@Anna-vz5jl]

Best show in the world 🎉

[@solojerm9-5]

the fact that this didn’t leak AT ALL!! in this day of age, is so amazing, and shows how much all of those extras and staff respected this show. one of the greatest pieces of tv that i’m thankful i was able to witness.

[@daze.d5462]

Ikr. It really caught me by surprise

[@coastersandculture2125]

This did leak. Had it spoiled months ago randomly scrolling through Reddit 🫠

[@amazingabby25]

@@coastersandculture2125 yep, someone saw the scene with Rava being filmed. I think the ending might have leaked, idk. Also they used decoy pic of Logan’s brother to confise lurking fans. Hard to film in nyc with out a leak

[@tshepherd8145]

Big ups to Vanity Fair for not putting the spoiler in the video title either.

[@frankharvey88]

I was a few episodes behind and every media outlet proudly announced the spoiler in their headlines, ruining it for me. Having said that, it’s still a masterfully done episode of an amazing show and it didn’t diminish the impact much at all.

[@emilygrace1692]

"He never even liked me" has stayed with me for the past few weeks -- incredible performance.

[@carolynrabbani6469]

That the other three considered him as an after thought,, as they always do, and that even still, he is ashamed of his initial reaction, and switches immediately to big brother mode, to younger siblings who barely bother with him, is the saddest part to me.

[@himurahaibara1459]

Such short line with so much pain behind it.

[@steffersonairplane]

It's a year later and I'm still thinking about Connor freaking out over the Looney Cake like, once a week, minimum

[@chaoticfairytale]

I'm so glad Mark Mylod delved into Sarah Snook's performance there because it was just bloody brilliant. 100% masterclass in acting

[@justagirl36]

she's taking that emmy!!!!!

[@andrewlampe6116]

She flicks the switch (in contrast to Strong). In awe❤

[@VanessaDG86]

I lost it when Shiv started crying. I was in awe of her performance. Truly brilliant!

[@15Candles]

@@justagirl36 I think she's gonna take it. I mean it took Jon Hamm till the final season to win an Emmy for Mad Men, might aswell Sarah for Succession

[@tink6225]

everytime shiv cries, i start crying

[@ayushsharma8888]

Definitely one of the best episode in TV history. The fact that the Actors had such freedom and so many decisions were made to make it as real as possible just adds to that episode.

[@umairshaikh3682]

and the fact that the actors gave such a tight performance even with all that freedom is amazing

[@ayushsharma8888]

@@umairshaikh3682 Feels like this whole season is just them taking turns to solidify their emmy wins.

[@saierwe]

ONE OF THE EPISODES IN TV HISTORY!!! not less worse, not more better, just one of the episodes ever!!! definitely!

[@an-qo6by]

Alan Ruck's reaction is what got me to start crying. It was just... so natural and his choices, the way he said the lines. heartbreaking.

[@TheEtherny]

I was already feeling sad seeing Roman's call but Shiv's is what broke me on a human level just because of the way she was crying, it felt like you were in the room with her living through it.

[@space_1073]

His delivery of “what happened?” Got me

[@saintza]

"I never got the chance to make him proud of me" broke me

[@dyannaslund9053]

I had so little sympathy for Shiv in this scene, all because she rejected that phone call and was then upset that she didn’t get to talk to her dad. Answer the phone, girl.

[@iside2373]

​@@dyannaslund9053 y'all can never give her break , they were literally in the middle of a divorce it makes sense she didn't want to answer his call

[@nerd26373]

Mark Mylod sure has impactful insights. He knows what he's doing in his own field, and that's something worthy to be proud of.

[@rafeeqwarfield9690]

All I want when I grow up

[@jhykobz1yq]

Such an interesting director, loved hearing about the writing process for this it sounded like the process was crucial to the shows success

[@Thurnishaley6969]

Platitudes

[@noordurrani678]

!!

[@gabifgt]

connor's "he never even liked me" moment felt so natural, it really broke me. his dad dies in his wedding and on a plane because he wasn't going to show up, his siblings forget that they have to tell him about logan.... this show is really one of the best pieces of television in recent decades.

[@trinaq]

They really subverted our expectations in the best possible way. We thought that we would get goofy wedding shenagians, not the sudden death of the main antagonist.

[@deadbars8755]

Protagonist*

[@alancastillo7932]

@@deadbars8755 Antagonist is ok. We're not following Logan throughout the story, we're following his kids.

[@StuartQuinn]

​@@alancastillo7932 agreed. Antagonist is more appropriate.

[@snakethegemini]

Logan’s such a nuanced character it’s really hard to just call him an antagonist though he’s certainly not a protagonist

[@sanjaremskar3309]

@@snakethegemini Antagonist doesn't necessarily mean he's morally bad, it's just the person who opposes the character(s) we're following most closely

[@rosvlinds]

On one hand Shiv's emotional reaction and crying really got to me but Connor's totally natural reaction saying "he never liked me" is what really messed me up..

[@BatmanHQYT]

I'm glad he reserved so much praise for Alan Ruck's performance at the end, it really was devastating even if Connor's screentime was brief compared to his siblings. The "regret about making it about himself" was spot-on.

[@jean-pierresteenberg]

its just a max show, no need to go full english teacher

[@chillypillars]

@@jean-pierresteenberg sorry you don't enjoy using your brain but some of us do

[@rasmuspryor]

I really love the fact that pretty much all phone calls in Succession are actually real-time calls. When they put the person on the phone on speaker, you can hear it’s not just a voiceover. Too many shows use voiceovers in that and it sounds unrealistic whereas this sounds how a speaker call would sound

[@quake9213]

This episode hit like a truck. especially for all the ppl out there who had to deal with the passing of a loved one who was, ultimately, an abuser.

[@sarahchalmers1122]

Or anyone who will eventually have to deal with the passing of one

[@cbegay81]

It reminded me of this passage in a book. It read, "When you love someone, but don't like parts of them, it complicates your memory of them when they're gone." Watching the Roy children grieve and say goodbye is easily one of the hardest and most complicated things to watch

[@dordorjuu]

Yes. My grandma died last year and I never cried. I never fully mourned. This episode made me feel all the feelings. She was emotionally abusive and I hated her for that but it doesn't that take away the fact that I loved her as well.

[@Chadmlad]

I've seen that scene of Shiv saying goodbye to Logan probably about 10x now and I still cry every time I watch it. God I hope Sarah Snook gets an Emmy for that scene.

[@Mopark25]

I'm sure even Rhea Seehorn wouldn't begrudge her, beautiful performance

[@nafischowdhury7375]

@@Mopark25 Rhea is in supporting, Sarah in lead.

[@Mopark25]

@@nafischowdhury7375 Wow, seriously? Kim felt like a lead to me.

[@EmanDeMoan]

​@@nafischowdhury7375 Rhea didn't feel like a supporting character especially towards the end

[@susieparker9456]

Same! I just cried again now watching that. I’m pre grieving now! In 12 hours it will all be over and I’m now ready!

[@oneinamalonereads]

I remember the scene of Ken searching for Shiv and I was just so painfully tempted to fast forward because the tension was almost unbearable - and to see Mark complementing Sarah Snook's performance (which her and Kieran were my top for this episode) just gave me chills, the way he acknowledges her artistry and skill and how he works with his actors is phenomenal

[@ferferrairo]

Sarah Snook is something else. She's snatched all the Emmys on that one.

[@ja9_9]

the moment when Sarah holds the phone, like she was holding her father, was just gold, give her the emmy already!

[@AA-qb7ni]

This episode is one of the greatest episodes of all time. The whole show is perfect.

[@originaozz]

The chaotic tension on Succession is like no other. Just goes to show how much planning was involved to captured all the instinctual and immediate reactions. I'll be sad when this show ends.

[@Hemant.s]

Chaotic tension. Perfectly stated

[@jking4973]

Sarah Snook was so phenomenal in this episode, her reaction to Logan’s death felt so raw. But everyone was truly exceptional.

[@Mopark25]

This makes me realize how very important the cameramen are to the feel of the show. Very rare that they have to make creative decisions themselves but this show gives them that ability.

[@ejparas8492]

this is an incredible, educational insight into the art of directing & storytelling. mark mylod said sarah snook’s performance could be a masterclass in acting (which it 100% is), but wow, even this 15-minute video itself is a masterclass and it illuminates so much on the art of collaboration, trust, and the importance of deeply understanding characters’ needs and psychologies. love it. and mark deserves his first DIRECTING emmy for succession, and I think this video pretty much seals the deal.

[@riakalsi2856]

In 2020, my sisters and I lost our Dad but it was bang in the middle of covid, we were all living separately and when we were all trying to get home to him to say goodbye, we had phone call after phone call trying to find out what had happened and what the situation is. It was frustrating and terrifying. Watching this episode nearly 3 years on, it was so eerie watching how real this scene was. The nightmare of not being able to understand what's happening, what to say or having any control on what's going on. Our Dad is our best friend, so a very different relationship than the show, but even still a universal experience of this nightmare moment was presented so well in this episode. 'Daddy, don't go please not now'. Incredibly real.

[@Magoro2249]

I'm sorry for your loss. ❤

[@EmanDeMoan]

I'm sorry for your loss ☹️

[@riakalsi2856]

@@Magoro2249 thank you 💛

[@riakalsi2856]

@@EmanDeMoan thank you 💛

[@J_Lauds]

When I first watched this episode, Sarah's performance had me bawling my eyes out. Though we have been anticipating this moment for years, I was still so caught off guard when it happened. Just an amazing episode.

[@Rash23215]

​@@Kigoz4Life if u weren't than u've been watching a different show.... It's literally have been anticipated since episode 1 of the show....

[@SCharlesDennicon]

Thanks Mark Mylod for making me love that episode EVEN MORE. Jeez, what a masterpiece. Not a single leak = faith in humanity a bit restored. Not showing Brian Cox once in the episode would have been catastrophic because it would have felt like one of those episodes where the character suddenly dies but we don't see any of it because the actor was just fired or went to rehab or something. It would have been cheap.

[@juliettevanderwal4950]

That’s so true! Such a great insight, I hadn’t even thought of that

[@eduardodelarosa8590]

This episode is going to be studied in film school for generations. Its just a masterpiece.

[@ShakiraJonay]

Connors line after finding out their dad had died literally made me cry immediately. It felt so real. So authentic

[@principlay874]

Mark Mylod and Jesse Armstrong are the dream team of this series. But all the writers and directors did such an incredible job with their work.

[@space_1073]

I hadn’t even considered the nightmare of trying to prevent a leak with so many extras. I’m so glad nobody ruined it!!

[@Dexxxtroyer]

Mark Mylod is a true masterclass. A genius of a Director. Succession is one of the best shows out there. Probably the best of them all.

[@GeneThundersnow]

It’s wonderful to see how much he cares for, respects, and trusts all of these actors. Him mentioning what he loves about each of their specific flavors of acting and what they brought/added to what was already an incredibly written show is so lovely.

[@raainydaay]

sarah snook’s performance in this episode was UNREAL

[@anielia1219]

I will never forget how I reacted to this episode. I was in a state of shock, crying, and absolutely in awe of what I was witnessing. I will miss this show. Bravo!

[@ThaboTshuma]

Succession ending in a few days... "I can't have that"😢

[@DaveBroTube]

"Get me the best TV-show resurrection guy!"

[@irih6086]

“But do we really know?!”

[@distilledleemupaani9232]

Sarahs part in this was, as the director said, was extraordinary. This is my second time watching this scene and it still brings the same emotions to me as it did the first time.

[@jackpaice]

This episode floored me. I can't begin to express my immense gratitude for how this all was done. This is art at its finest and HBO needs to keep this quality up in what they all do.

[@bigmilk13_]

I haven't cried in a while, but when Shiv started breaking down, I couldn't help it. brilliant performances all around. just... wow

[@nush.a]

truly one of the best episode in the history of television! Every scene felt so REAL and raw. For someone who has gone through sudden death of a parent and experiencing the confusion, denial and helplessness state of mind, the director masterfully crafted those emotions.

[@elizabethpage_]

Such a fantastic episode. Everyone I was watching it with had their jaws dropped the moment Roman got that call

[@whatsilviadid3993]

As someone who had to say goodbye to my dying dad through a phone while my sis was holding it next to his ear this boat scene took me by surprise. The actors did such an amazing job cause yes, I was going back to my childhood calling him daddy and saying how much i loved him and how i wished he was proud of me. Heartbreaking scene for me but i would give the actors an Oscar. Such a pity this show ended, what am i going to watch now?😢

[@Saigeee333]

He just won an Emmy for this!

[@Stephanie-rg5ln]

Alan Ruck’s performance definitely got me. They all did such a tremendous job. Love seeing the behind the scenes methodologies of Connor’s Wedding!

[@Argonaut121]

Great to hear an artist explain the deep thinking that goes into their work. Nothing is unplanned, but some is improvised.

[@sejtaridiss]

I would never guess that Logan lying on the floor was CGI. Amazing job.

[@Sithari66]

What an excellent show. Gonna miss it but glad they chose to go out on top.

[@itzelramirez4801]

Tom was really integral to the episode I’m happy they included him

[@snakethegemini]

“Why does Frank think that Tom?” Even in a video like this that line is still chilling and so impactful

[@Ryusevi]

wow the fact that brian cox was not actually there and they combined the picture with a stunt double and added the shake later blows my mind.

[@wesleyratko7830]

Mark Mylod refers (rightfully so) to Sarah Snook's performance as a masterclass in acting. Well, Mylod here is teaching a master class in direction. HOW he directed these actors, how they edited for tension, why they made the creative choices they did…it's all incredibly thoughtful and insightful. I could listen to him do this all day. Well done and many thanks to Vanity Fair.

[@juktapose]

One of the greatest episodes in modern day television. Instant classic. What an amazing show.

[@aquamarine99911]

Tom's actually talking through the phone - it isn't just piped in later. Then they'd have to have to sync it up to Roman's great reactions, which would have introduced an element of fakery to the scene. Genius. I learned that my father had died via telephone call. The shock, denial and even bargaining is all there. Genius.

[@TheJayneharper]

I need a million more years of this content. Fascinating that they directed the actors' movements through staging background characters in places. I sobbed like a baby during this episode. I miss the series so much

[@flowproreactions]

Im so glad we have this, i absolutely love Mark Mylod and the way he's able to build tension and dance with the actors in order to keep everything seamless and real as possible. Truly remarkable and a big big reason why this episode specifically was very special.

[@agesilaustr]

02:03 He says "anti-Shakespearean death". I get what he means, but curiously almost all major deaths in Shakespeare happen off-stage and are simply announced to the audience and characters. So it's actually very Shakespearean, as is the whole show.

[@omoddulus4933]

That's not what he means by shakespearean. He means it happens in a way where they're trying to get the most emotion out of you even if it's at the expense of it not seeming very believable. And so he's talking about the believability of it. He's direction isn't really to be emotional but rather to just act how you would if this was actually happening. And the dialogue they say is almost like they don't know what to say, they aren't thinking clearly and nothing they say is very meaningful or meant to be meaningful.

[@priscillalam5029]

a brilliant episode that will go down in television history! I’ll miss this show and all the emotional damage it caused me😭

[@grimreapershat7953]

I would love a behind the scenes like this for succession because every detail that goes into this show is intriguing

[@indieeasmr7101]

I'm going to cry when this show is over. I love these characters and never want to stop watching them.

[@chidrass]

you can feel the love for the craft, it so beautiful to hear him speak about the details and the emotions on this. brilliant

[@cara-miazaniol3195]

I want this video to be at least 3 hours please 😂❤ I could listen to this for hours

[@saphirewilliams723]

in my opinion it’s without a doubt the best episode in the show

[@MissieK]

I will always be thankful for Succession and for Jesse, the cast, crew but on top of all for Mylod. He is really the director for Jesse and Succession. You can tell when he is directing. All the directors in the show are great but Mark actually makes you feel tension and anxiety and the feelings of the person in camera

[@beetlebume]

of course jeremy strong is right and the show is a tragedy. i can't believe anyone has ever thought otherwise.

[@lovestruckcow]

You’re hit by this wave and you don’t know how to feel. That’s what makes this ep so rare and beautiful

[@LegalVampire]

I'm in complete awe of Mark & Jesse

[@itsjusthaif]

The actors, the director, the way it was written and not to forget, the background score. REALLY adds to the chills. I had goosebumps watching this, and I rarely get goosebumps watching TV shows.

[@cornpopisabaddude]

Wow I just realised how underrated Alan Ruck is as Connor

[@gloss6969]

he’s incredible, glad to see him getting some more praise for this role in the past few episodes

[@agraciotti]

wait what? what are you talking about, Tom is THE iPhone kind of guy 😄

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

I thought the same thing.

[@ScootsFromNewCastle]

One of the best hours of television ever produced this episode

[@shwesharan]

This is a great analysis of such a brilliant scene. Will truly miss the show and I cannot believe we have just one episode left.

[@vandershraaf]

I just realized that because the bar is so high in Succession that the actors are likely competing to each other.

[@johnconstable8512]

this whole show, actors, director, all the crew, were AMAZING

[@eumgsyau6141]

At the beginning of the episode i was like 'They're all dressed like it's a funeral' and then it set in.

[@c0ronariu5]

I was so cluelessly annoyed at how they were dressed, like “why is everyone wearing black to a wedding?”😊

[@rhondajohnson8310]

Ok.... the director talking about this episode brought me to tears like the actual episode did. 😢 still powerful....

[@lukasvilla2657]

The attention to detail in directing the entire scene is amazing.

[@filmreviewer117]

Whenever I see his name as director you know its going to be an amazing episode. He's there go to guy and so glad he's finishing out the show.

[@Ninive6demarzo]

Absolute legends!! Pure genius and brilliance from every part involved in making this work of art of a series. Succession has made history for sure. Congratulations and thank you are just understatements. Forever grateful to have experienced this journey.

[@drushe1983]

Incredible insight in to the art of storytelling, taking the words and making them visual with all the details added to the richness of the writing is just sublime.

[@wifeunderthesea]

this scene had me bawling my eyes out. it felt so real. incredible actors. my goodness.

[@Poppieslilliespeonies]

Once in a lifetime, brilliant show in every way. I'm glad it's going out on a high, this was its best season imo, but I will miss it dearly.

[@neesonnaidoo4745]

The way these writers and creators trust their actors is amazing. And it their trust is clearly rewarded with some of the best acting I've ever seen in my life. The amount of detail that everyone pays attention to phenomenal And shout out to Matthew MacFadyen for actually being live in the call to get a real conversation between himself and the siblings.

[@pinoyguy75]

I felt so much tension when Kendall went to find Shiv. I was afraid some random person would interrupt him to talk or something.

[@muaddibnelson]

Such an insightful analysis on Connor’s Wedding, this episode is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

[@Han-fm7mo]

This was my favourite one of these breakdowns. What a thoughtful director.

[@calebmahoney5462]

What an incredible gift to be able to watch this scene and then have the director break it down. So freaking cool.

[@susannahs8533]

When I watched this live, I was mostly stressed and confused, thinking that it might be a trick, but rewatching all these great performances in the breakdown video has me a bit misty 🥺

[@emilykelly6842]

It was an absolute remarkable episode. THANK YOU

[@vatsal_agar]

Congratulations to Mark for winning an emmy for directing this very episode 👏

[@gabrielmarcellus3948]

Mark Mylod you and the entire cast are masterclasses in directing, acting and writting. What a marvelous TV show. One for the history of TV!

[@naomistrand]

I will never forgive them for this episode. Absolutely traumatizing and I haven't gotten over it

[@conorobrien5763]

Unbelievable analysis. So much information to think about. This is an amazing video.

[@dorisschneider-coutandin9965]

A brilliant director, an equally brilliant writer, and actors and actresses giving the performance of their lives - it shows. And that is why this show currently sweeps all the boards at the significant award ceremonies.

[@abundantlyarlyney]

So this had popped up as a recommendation before I had gotten to this part in the show. Watching it now, well after I have finished my watch.. well jeez. This was such a joy and such a fabulous breakdown of an exceptional scene 🙏🏾

[@hotpink000]

Omg this is thebest scene to break down! Absolute masterpiece

[@dashingdreww1185]

Such a great piece of television !! I’m glad none of the extras ended up leaking anything

[@SathwikKesappragada]

this guy is a genius! the story is so well written. the scenes were perfectly executed

[@monomakes]

The whole thing was soo cool. Congratulations and my admiration to everyone involved.

[@ozcartadeo2918]

Such an amazing episode, they really put us in the skin of the characters, I was on denial, grief and pain at the same time as the characters

[@Liz.1014]

One of the best episodes on tv ever for real now we understand why, the entire team was so clever, and talented to pull this masterpiece off

[@twigblack22]

logan's death scene was really powerful. it reminded me of the chaos and game of telephone that played out after my grandfather's death - it was a completely unexpected thing - i felt the confusion and grief in this episode

[@luanavoliveira]

just incredible, one of the best episode ever