Succession season 3 premiere recap: Who does Logan pick as the new CEO of Waystar Royco?

Succession season 3 is finally back, and fans of the award-winning HBO series are so happy to see the Roy family back on their screens. These family members are ruthless, conniving, and have no problem backstabbing anyone who comes in their way. And for whatever reason, they made for such great television!

The second season ended on a cliffhanger after Kendall (Jeremy Strong) decided to betray his dad Logan (Brian Cox) during an important press conference.

After the family company’s cruise line scandal came to light, Logan had to decide who would sacrifice themselves to take the blame. Logan chose Kendall, and after he told him he couldn’t see him being the new CEO of the business, Waystar Royco, because he wasn’t a “killer,” Kendall knew what he had to do.

Fans know this wasn’t the first time Kendall went against his father and it likely will not be the last.

Spoilers ahead for Succession season 3.

At the start of Succession season 3, Waystar Royco isn’t in the best place. Logan and his family are trying to figure out what to do to save the business and they’re also worried about what Kendall will do next.

Roman (Kieran Culkin), Shiv (Sarah Snook), Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron), Frank (Peter Friedman), Karl (David Rasche), and Hugo (Fisher Stevens) are all on Logan’s side, while Greg (Nicholas Braun), Karolina (Dagmara Domińczyk), and Kendall’s assistant Jess (Juliana Canfield) are all on Kendall’s.

Obviously, Kendall is outnumbered, but with the amount of illegal activity that’s gone on at Waystar Royco, he has a good chance of exposing the business and perhaps, if he’s lucky, even destroying them.

Does Logan step down as CEO in Succession season 3?

Early on in the Succession season 3 premiere, Logan knows he has to temporarily step down and elect someone else as the CEO of Waystar Royco to save face. He briefly considers Shiv, Roman, or Gerri, noting that he’ll still be “pulling the strings” no matter who he chooses. Roman throws his hat in the ring, which only convinces Logan that he’s not the right fit.

Logan then gives Shiv a test and asks her to meet with a high-profile lawyer named Lisa Arthur (Sanaa Lathan), who happens to be a friend of Shiv’s. Unfortunately for Logan, Lisa is not interested in representing Waystar and is actually going to meet with Kendall. This eliminate’s Shiv’s shot at becoming CEO.

Who takes over as Waystar Royco CEO in Succession season 3?

That leaves Logan with one option left, and he chooses her. Gerri will become the next CEO of Waystar Royco — but we know that might not last too long.

Logan does step down as acting CEO but as we know, he doesn’t give up power that easily if at all. We’re sure if and when they’re able to save Waystar Royco, Logan will take his seat back as the man in charge of the business.

In the meantime, BetSided has the betting odds on the characters’ chances to take over Waystar Royco, and Gerri was at +750 before the season 3 premiere. This first episode kicks things off wonderfully and we can’t wait to see what other chaos at Waystar, and between Logan and Kendall, ensues on this gripping show!

Be sure to watch all new episodes of Succession season 3 every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.