Succession & 8 Other Shows About Family Business Empires

Shows about business are a dime a dozen, but when it comes to family-owned business, the stakes are raised even higher. There are a few shows that feature small family-owned businesses, like Cattleman’s Ranch in Fresh Off the Boat or Bob’s Burgers in the show of the same name. But thinking bigger, some fictional TV families have fictional businesses that are empires, making waves across the country and beyond.

Succession is, of course, one of the most commonly cited shows of this ilk. But there are many others, including ones that have aired for several seasons and other brand-new shows that are joining the mix.

Succession (2018-Present) – HBO

At the center of this satirical comedy-drama is the Roy family, which owns media conglomerate WayStar Royco. With its hand in everything from television news to cruise ships and magazines, Waystar Royco is one of the most powerful fictional corporations in a TV show. While patriarch Logan Roy has no desire to step down, he realizes the writing is on the wall and he needs to make a decision about who will take over once he is no longer capable to do so.

The focus is on the familial discord and the greed, arrogance, and immaturity of his four children, each of whom feels they should be in a position of power, which is both heartbreaking and hilarious. When it comes to extravagance, opulence, and the “money is no issue” attitude, the Roys have it all.

Promised Land (2022) – ABC

Dubbed Succession with Latino characters and with wine as the core business, this new family drama follows Joe Sandoval and his blended families in California where he runs his successful vineyard. After years of toiling to achieve his American Dream, and running the business for decades, Joe is ready to retire. But which of his five children is qualified enough to keep the busy going in the direction he wants?

In Promised Land, Joe deals with unique challenges, from undocumented immigrants to a rival hotel owner and an ex-wife who is out for blood.

Empire (2015-2020) – Fox

As noted in the name, this musical drama is about an empire in the music business, and indeed, it’s owned by a family, the Lyons. While Lucious runs the day-to-day on Empire, he gets a tragic health diagnosis that leaves him no choice but to prepare to hand the reins over to someone else.

While he initially believes this will be one of his three sons, a wrench is thrown into the plans when Lucious’s ex Cookie is released from prison and believes it’s her right to take over. Meanwhile, Lucious pits his sons against one another in an effort to see who has what it takes.

The Righteous Gemstones (2019-Present) – HBO

John Goodman, Edi Patterson, and Adam DeVine star in this black comedy about a family of televangelists who spread the word of the lord through their megachurch, then live large behind the scenes, all thanks to generous church donations. Each of the characters on The Righteous Gemstones is funny in their own way.

Even with megachurches, however, it is all about business. On The Righteous Gemstones the family is determined to expand, while putting other smaller churches out of business in the process. Like the other shows, there’s a greedy patriarch and immature kids who don’t quite have what it takes, but who sure love reaping the benefits of the family business.

The Kings Of Napa (2022) – OWN

Oprah Winfrey’s network has stepped its hand into the ring with this new soap opera about the King family that works within the wine industry. Rather than the patriarch having to make a choice about who takes over, however, he sadly passes away, leaving his three children to fend for themselves on the business side without preparation.

Naturally, they each have their own idea about how things should be run, and there’s a lot of butting heads, heavy drama, lies, backstabbing, and all the other typical elements of the genre.

Arrested Development (2003-2019) – Fox, Netflix

George Bluth Jr. is the patriarch of the family business Bluth Company on Arrested Development. Once a wealthy real estate investor, after being arrested on fraud charges, his family is left to figure things out. While they are technically no longer wealthy and their empire in shambles, they continue to live as though they are.

Son Michael Bluth had been ready to leave the company just before his father’s arrest, frustrated that he was constantly overlooked for a leadership position. With the company in mother Lucille’s hands, she hilariously appoints Michael’s completely inexperienced younger brother Buster to run things, despite Michael clearly being the right choice.  Nonetheless, regardless of reservations, Michael finds himself eventually taking over the business with the hopes that doing so will help keep his quirky, eccentric family together.

The Crown (2016-Present) – Netflix

Yes, it’s the monarchy, but it’s still a business, and Queen Elizabeth II stills sits on the throne, well into her 90s. Praised for its accuracy and attempts at remaining as true to fact as possible, The Crown, one of the best TV shows of 2020, depicts the story of how Queen Elizabeth II was thrust into the spotlight to takeover a leadership position following the death of her father.

Not only is she faced with serving as Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, she must also take on the challenges of being a woman taking on the job instead of a man since she did not have any male siblings. While there’s less cursing and low-brow humor in this show versus others of the family empire variety, The Crown still includes the same drama, scandal, politics, and struggles for power. It’s just a lot more regal in the depiction as Queen Elizabeth battles those in her family, and other forces as well.

Dynasty (2017-Present) – The CW

About as soapy as they come, no plot direction is too silly or unbelievable for Dynasty, just like the original 1980s soap opera of the same name on which it is based. In fact, there were even plot twists on Dynasty no one saw coming. The Carringtons have obscene wealth thanks to their massive conglomerate Carrington Atlantic, and they are not afraid to show it off.

With the billions, however, comes plenty of family drama, including a daughter desperate to make something of herself out of her father’s shadow, illegitimate children and siblings who appear out of nowhere to take their cut, and even do-gooder kids who speak out against everything the family stands for, threatening the reputation. Every Carrington grew up getting whatever they wanted, so none is ever willing to back down.

Family Business (2019-2021) – Netflix

This French series follows a smaller family business dealing in a big pond> when marijuana is legalized in France, Joseph decides that the family butcher shop would make so much more money if they switched to this new venture. And so, the kosher butcher shop becomes a marijuana coffeeshop.

Dubbed a comedy, the series has been well reviewed by fans. While the family might not have billions, they are on track with every intention of building their own empire eventually.

About The Author