Devotees of the HBO/Sky smash series Succession are waiting on tenterhooks for a much-heralded (and Corona-delayed) third season. In its place comes a true-life version telling the story of the Murdoch dynasty (some say the inspiration): and the comparisons are all too easy to spot in a rollicking tale of power, money and inheritance.
In The FT Suzy Feay compares this series with its fictional counterpoint: “While the opening sequence of this three-part documentary, with its montage of private planes and swimming pools, points to glossy drama, real life, alas, is rarely as well dressed, attractive or wittily scripted.”
Although this points to a blurring between fact and fiction, The Telegraph’s Anita Singh calls the programme a “valuable insight into the way British politics was shaped during that era. But, as any of Murdoch’s tabloid editors would tell you, it’s the juicy stuff we want. Every time they dropped in a little detail… it upped the fun.” Sean O’Grady writing in the Independent says, “This documentary tells a familiar story, but it’s an enthralling portrait of a man for whom the world is never enough.”
The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty is a gripping slice of modern history. As we all know, the story has a few more pages left, and maybe the sequel will be even juicier?
First shown July 2020. You can watch the trailer by pressing play on the show image, or by clicking here.
