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I dont have that relationship with them because I think theyre jerks and I watched Logan ruin them.
I saw the whole thing happen since they were born.
I saw them grow up.
I think theyre self-involved and have an inflated idea of what they can do.
Karl treats Kendall with deference when trying to get details about the new numbers for the Living+ presentation.
He says things like if you could and if thats okay.
Thats who he is, and hes not to be trusted; he doesnt know what hes doing.
I dont know what hes on or off, and I dont care.
See: the definition ofambiguous.
All kudos, all questions, go to Jesse Armstrong.
Theres nothing no music, no line, nothing that does not get passed through him.
He is vigilant in the deepest, darkest corners of this show, and its remarkable.
Whatever happens, I just keep writing these emails to him that say, Thanks.
But thats what makes the note so funny.
Its some event that brings out peoples true character, like is the glass half empty or half full.
It depends on who you are and what you want.
Karl has a great moment in this episode when he breaks a bit.
Im really, really, really mad.
I dont know that Ive ever been more angry than I am at that moment.
The stakes for me are as high as they can be.
I will kill him I will do whatever I have to do, and Im not kidding.
Its that line: Hes got my dick in his hand, and Ive got his.
I just wanted to add, I also have power over you.
You wanna play chicken with me?
How much rehearsal goes into a scene like this?
Maybe you run lines together.
You shoot the rehearsal, you turn on the camera; otherwise, youll lose it.
In this particular case, we rehearsed on-camera with each other in real time.
After the presentation goes well for Kendall, we see Karl clapping for him and calling him special.
Are there any limits to his self-preservation?No, no, no.
What I said was You have your life or your death ahead of you.
You make the choice.
He chose, and he did fine.
I had to give him a spanking, and lets just move on.
There are references throughoutSuccessionthat Karl has worked at Waystar Royco for more than 20 years.
Ive known Peter Friedman for 50, 40 years.
Ive known J. Smith-Cameron for a long time.
I havent known Brian Cox; I feel like I have.
Hats off to the casting directors.
A lot of the relationships are real between the actors.
You get a free relationship if the actors know each other and understand each other.
When did you and Peter first meet?I dont even remember.
Theres not a play he hasnt been in.
And hes a delightful person: funny and totally willing to be humiliated.
We know Gerri is Shivs godmother and Frank is Kendalls godfather.
Does Karl have any familial relationships with the Roys?Karl is a very kindred spirit to Logan.
Karl understands him, and he is fiercely loyal to him.
Logan has humiliated Karl, but my answer to his humiliation is to take it with defiance.
As was discussed in episode six, weve been through the wars together.
We spend a lot of time together.
If I like him I dont think thats an area that comes into play, like or dislike.
In order for Karl to be employed by him, Karl has to be the best in the business.
I saw him fuck up these kids, and I dont like it, and I dont like them.
He was a horrible father and a brilliant businessman, and its the businessman I deal with.
Karls got to be able to fight and win a battle.
In episodesthree,four, andfive, I always felt Karl wasvery affectedbyLogans death.
My lines are acerbic out of deep grief and disbelief.
But Jesse has been very careful to keep Logan alone.
I may have even suggested, Perhaps I could be some sort of confessor or something like that.
But I dont think Jesse wanted that.
Jesse wanted Logan Roy, a man alone.
Karl wants to use part of his golden parachute to buy a Greek island with his brother-in-law.
Whats he going to do on the Greek island?
Whats going on there?I have to be really careful because Ill get in trouble.
Thats the life hell lead without any responsibilities.
Who could ask for more?
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
