‘Succession’s’ Jesse Armstrong makes Emmy history with 4-for-4 record in Best Drama Writing

Kaitlin Thomas
·3 min read
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It’s four for four for Jesse Armstrong.

The “Succession” creator and showrunner took home the Emmy for Best Drama Writing on Monday for penning “Connor’s Wedding,” the third episode of the HBO series’ fourth and final season, which featured the shocking death of family patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox). “Succession,” which was the odds-on favorite to win heading into the telecast, beat out episodes from fellow HBO dramas “The White Lotus” and “The Last of Us,” as well as AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” Disney+’s “Andor” and Apple TV+’s “Bad Sisters.”

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“Succession” executive producer Mark Mylod was also nominated for directing the episode, which, as the title implies, is set during the nuptials of eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck). Logan’s death, which happens off-screen and in the wake of a confrontation with his children in the previous episode, interrupts the big day, and the four Roy siblings (portrayed by Ruck, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook) all grapple with the sudden emotional upheaval of losing their father. It is a game-changing hour of television that also showcases the incredible talents of the show’s main cast.

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Armstrong’s latest triumph means he has now won the Emmy for each of the drama’s four seasons, giving him a perfect record. No other writer in history has won the award for every season of their show. He previously triumphed for writing Season 1’s “Nobody Is Ever Missing,” Season 2’s “This Is Not for Tears” and Season 3’s “All the Bells Say.” This year is the first time he has won for an episode that is not a season finale (a sole credited writer can only submit one episode), which is remarkable because a pilot or finale has won the Best Drama Writing award 10 times since 2010. “Homeland’s” “Q&A”, “Breaking Bad’s” “Ozymandias” and “Game of Thrones’” “Battle of the Bastards” are the only in-season episodes to triumph during that time period.

With this win, Armstrong also breaks the seven-way tie he held with Steven Bochco, David Chase, Tom Fontana, David Milch, Reginald Rose and Matthew Weiner to become the sole possessor of the second-most wins in the category. He sits behind only Rod Serling, who took home six Emmys for writing during his prolific career. However, unlike Armstrong, Serling did not have a perfect record (he was nominated nine times).

“Succession” earned 27 nominations for its fourth and final season, including 14 nominations for acting and a bid for Best Drama Series, making it the most nominated series at the 2023 Emmys. After winning zero awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, it dominated Sunday’s main ceremony with six wins, including a third victory in Best Drama Series.

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