During a post-Emmys panel for the hit show Succession, actor Kieran Culkin revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes tidbit about a intense scene involving a slap between Nicholas Braun and Matthew Macfadyen. Culkin, who was in a separate room watching the scene on a monitor, could hear the resounding slap that occurred during the bathroom fight scene. It seems that the slap was so powerful that it echoed through the room and caught Culkin's attention.
Braun, known for his role as Greg Hirsch on the show, jokingly explained why he put so much energy into the slap. According to him, when you have the opportunity to slap another actor, you only get one chance, and you never know if there will be another take. In this case, there were four takes, giving Braun multiple chances to deliver the convincing slap to Macfadyen, who played Tom Wambsgans.
Preparing for the scene, both actors rehearsed the slap multiple times the day before and on the day of filming. This was part of their routine for many scenes they performed together, not only to perfect the timing but also to prevent themselves from breaking into laughter during filming.
Maintaining a serious demeanor during scenes proved to be quite a challenge for Braun and Macfadyen. Succession creator Jesse Armstrong even mentioned that if the stage directions required them to make eye contact or their faces had to be close, the crew would schedule two additional hours into the shooting schedule. This was to ensure that enough film was available to capture the scene without any interruptions or laughter.
The onscreen brawl between Braun and Macfadyen was just one example of the captivating moments in Succession's fourth and final season. Macfadyen's outstanding performance earned him an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series and a Golden Globe for best performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television. During his acceptance speech, he expressed his gratitude towards his fellow cast members, including Braun, whom he referred to as his onscreen wife.
The chemistry between the actors clearly translated onto the screen, as the show received critical acclaim and numerous awards. Culkin himself won a Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Emmy Award for his portrayal of Roman Roy, solidifying the exceptional talent within the show's ensemble cast.
If you haven't had the chance to experience the intense drama and stellar performances of Succession, all four seasons can be streamed on Max. Catch up on the gripping story of the Roy family and their power struggles in the business world.
