Roman Roy is a captivating fictional character from the acclaimed television series “Succession.” Portrayed by actor Kieran Culkin, Roman is the youngest son of media mogul Logan Roy. Charming yet reckless, he exudes a witty and irreverent demeanor that conceals his deep-seated insecurities and need for validation.
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As a member of the ultra-wealthy Roy family, Roman is entangled in the power struggles and corporate intrigues that define their media empire. Often viewed as the family’s loose cannon, he oscillates between childish impulsiveness and moments of business acumen, struggling to find his place within the company.
Throughout the show, Roman’s complicated relationships with his siblings and father are explored, providing an engrossing glimpse into the complexities of family, ambition, and the pursuit of success.
Many fans argue that there is something queer about Roman Roy. Now, let’s delve deeper into the character to find the answer to the question: Is Roman Roy from “Succession” gay?
VOTE: What is Roman Roy’s Sexuality?
Understanding Roman Roy’s Sexuality
HBO boasts a diverse range of LGBTQ-inclusive shows, including popular titles such as “Euphoria,” “The White Lotus,” and “House of the Dragon.” Although some fans might argue that “Succession” does not fall into this category, others maintain that there has always been something inherently queer about the complex character of Roman Roy. However, pinpointing the exact nature of this aspect has proven challenging for viewers.
Although it was shown that Roman has a wife and a kid, there was something Kieran Culkin, the actor who portrayed Roman Roy, said in an interview with Variety that sparks curiosity about the character’s sexuality.
First and foremost, he clarified that the woman in the pilot episode is not his wife, and the kid wasn’t his, either.
It was in the pilot, and after it was picked up, it was his girlfriend, and she had a child.”
Kieran Culkin told Variety
I’m wearing my real wedding band in the episode. I was excited about the idea of having a kid, and the kid was like seven or eight. It was a little disappointing (that the kid wasn’t his), but I think the idea was that it would just give them more freedom to play with the character.”
the actor added
Apparently, the “Succession” writers wanted to explore Roman’s character, which may or may not include his sexuality.
They had mentioned to me, even before we shot the pilot, about questioning what Roman’s sexuality is… and we don’t know what it is. But it put something in my brain, and I was like, ‘Okay, but I’m married and have kids?’ They were toying with the idea that she’s aware that you have sort of hang-ups sexually when it comes to monogamy, and might be more fluid, but we don’t know what that is yet.”
Culkin explained
Among the Roy children, it would make the most sense if Roman is queer or fluid in some way. He seems to invest more effort in hiding his desires than anyone else, using a continuous stream of mean remarks and hurtful comments.
The struggle with intimacy is evident in Roman’s character, as shown in the funeral episode. He desperately sought his father’s approval, leading him to suppress anything that could make him seem imperfect in his father’s eyes.
Some fans criticized the show for not delving deeply into Roman’s sexuality and leaving it vague, despite dropping subtle hints throughout the four seasons of “Succession.” They feel it’s a missed opportunity to portray the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals growing up in conservative environments. However, others believe that the show’s strength lies in what remains unspoken, allowing the audience more freedom to explore the characters and the story on their own.
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Is Roman Roy of Succession Gay?
The writers of Succession deliberately kept Roman Roy’s character and his sexuality vague. Throughout the series, they subtly hinted that he could be queer, but they never fully explored it. Kieran Culkin, the actor who portrayed Roman Roy, revealed that the writers intended to leave viewers questioning his sexuality. As a result, it’s challenging to determine Roman Roy’s gender orientation definitively. Perhaps, all along, their intention was to leave it to the viewer’s imagination.