Macfadyen was delighted to learn he had been cast as a character named Tom Wambsgans.
“It’s ‘womb’ and ‘glands’ all mixed together,” says the British actor.
“It sort of told me everything I needed to know about the character.”
Victoria Stevens for EW
While shooting theAdam McKay-directedSuccessionpilot, Braun found himself improvising with an actor playing a taxi driver.
“He was like, ‘Okay, the meter is at 15 bucks and you only have 10 dollars.
How do you get to your destination?
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How do you convince the cab driver to get there?'”
Sarah Snook, who plays Tom’s wife, Shiv Roy, is full of praise for Macfadyen.
“But he’s so lovely.
Victoria Stevens for EW
He’s a good proper British gent.
Matthew’s so brilliant and Tom’s just so Tom.
Shiv and Tom, it’s enormously enjoyable to play.”
Matthew Macfadyen and Nicholas Braun photographed for EW on Oct. 10, 2021 in New York.Victoria Stevens for EW
Braun recalls instantly connecting with Macfadyen.
“Well, it’s not Nick.
Nick is much cannier than that, much smarter than that, not as gauche as that.
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He’s a very smart lad.”
Macfadyen admits he and Braun sometimes find it difficult to keep a straight face while shootingSuccession.
“We struggle, Nick and I, because the scenes are so funny,” he says.
Victoria Stevens for EW
“There’s a chemistry or there isn’t.
And if there is, then so much the better and it develops.”
Macfadyen and Braun have become friendly away from theSuccessionset.
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“We get together for a coffee or dinner,” says Braun.
“We went and sawOthelloat the New York Theatre Workshop together back pre-COVID.
You know, nothing crazy!”
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“That was November,” says Macfadyen.
“Freezing cold and we walked around with masks.”
In season 3 ofSuccession, the specter of jail time has hung over the pair.
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How would Greg handle life behind bars?
“I was thinking Greg might join a gang,” offers Braun.
“If he can join the Roy gang, he can join a prison gang, you know?
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‘What do you guys need?
Who do you want me to shank today?
I’ll shank somebody.
‘Succession’ stars Matthew Macfadyen and Nicholas Braun.Victoria Stevens for EW
I mean, I’m not going to kill them, but I’ll shank them.
I just want to help.'”
Macfadyen believes his character would not thrive in prison.
Victoria Stevens for EW
“I think Tom would go to pieces actually,” says the actor.
Braun is currently shooting the movieCat Person, based on the infamous 2017New Yorkerstory by Kristen Roupenian.
“I’m really excited.”
Victoria Stevens for EW
But this is, ‘Oh, I wish it was longer and it will be!’
It will be years and years of this hopefully."
“I cherish our friendship and working with him.
Victoria Stevens for EW
I shouldn’t talk too much about it, because it will make me emotional.
But I really do, I love him a lot.”
Victoria Stevens for EW
Victoria Stevens for EW
