If there's anything we've learnt from watching Succession it's that you should never underestimate the power of a seemingly supporting player. From Naomi Pierce to Logan's elusive third wife Marcia, the extensive web of Roy connections all have a part to play.
It had seemed that Kerry Castellabate (Zoe Winters), Logan Roy's self-declared 'friend, assistant, adviser' (aka she was sleeping with him), was making moves to wangle a bigger role for herself, as we saw in the second episode when Kerry's ambitions to become a news anchor at Logan's network ATN were revealed (and we had the sniggering delight of watching Kerry's not-very-good audition tape.)
Now Logan has gone, she's in a precarious position - and Marcia, Logan's third wife who was MIA for sometime, firmly put her in her place when the pair came face to face. So now Kerry's is desperate: and that might prove dangerous for Marcia and the Roy siblings.
Kerry first appeared in the show in season two - and while viewers (and the Roys) may have initially dismissed her as just another one of Logan's mistresses, she quickly established herself as force to be reckoned with. In season three the siblings had their suspicions that Kerry was trying to get pregnant (in their minds, so that she had a 'claim' on Logan's fortunes) - but there's been no mention in season four, yet, if this is the case (and would two surprise pregnancies be a bit much?). Regardless, we get the feeling this isn't the last we will see of Kerry.
Who is Zoe Winters?
The 38-year-old American actress has had small parts in popular shows including Gossip Girl, Ugly Betty, Madam Secretary, Elementary and The Good Fight - but playing Kerry in Succession has been her most high-profile TV role to date. She is also a successful stage actor and is reportedly a regular face on the New York theatre circuit, winning critical praise for her performances.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporterabout her character, Zoe Winters said: 'When I first auditioned, Kerry had these lines in season two to Shiv... But I did it with a lot of attitude. The way I would approach being an assistant would be to do the job and not get in the way. So I wanted to choose a version that isn’t that. What if she’s an assistant who decides to get in the way?
'I think she’s always had political motivations. I didn’t find it surprising that she’d want to be a political commentator,' the actress said about Kerry's ambitions to be a TV anchor. 'I think Kerry is hugely ambitious. I think what she wants, more than money, more than anything, is power. There’s this huge sale going on of WayStar, but they’ve done this carve out of ATN. What she’s been promised is this position. I think the audition was just a formality, in her opinion. She wants a voice during this crucial and seminal election. She wants a platform on the international stage while this highly contested election is happening. She thinks it will bring her a lot of power. She’s always had those leanings and ambitions.'