Fresh Air
Sarah Snook Almost Didn't Audition For 'Succession'
May 5, 2025
Sarah Snook, a talented stage and screen actor best known for her role as Shiv Roy in Succession, shares her journey, including her incredible one-person show where she plays 26 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray. She reveals her initial hesitations about auditioning for Succession and the quirky challenges she faced in mastering American accents. Snook also reflects on the complex dynamics of her character, Shiv, in a male-dominated world, and dives into the emotional depth of pivotal scenes in both her theatrical and television roles.
44:29
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Sarah Snook's breathtaking performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray showcases her versatility as she masterfully embodies 26 distinct characters through voice and physicality.
- Despite initial hesitations rooted in motherhood, Snook ultimately embraced her role in Succession, reflecting her connection to the character's outsider perspective within a wealthy family.
Deep dives
Sarah Snook's Unique Performance
Sarah Snook delivers a remarkable performance in the stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, playing all 26 characters in a dynamic and athletic solo act. This adaptation transforms Wilde's gothic horror story into a visually engaging experience, enhanced by pre-recorded snippets and quick set changes. The two-hour show is described as a relentless monologue, where Snook's energy keeps the audience captivated as Dorian navigates the consequences of his Faustian bargain for eternal youth. Her skillful portrayal showcases how each character is distinctly defined through voice, physicality, and pacing, making the performance both exhilarating and intricate.
