SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers from “With Open Eyes,” the series finale of HBO’s “Succession,” now streaming on Max.

Tom Wambsgans of St. Paul, Minn. — an unrepentant striver, the broken-hearted lover of Shiv Roy, an unconscionable careerist, a yearning potential parent, an abuser of Greg, a Disgusting Brother: Matthew Macfadyen played the “Succession” character in all of his shades. 

In the end, it was Tom’s boot-licking abilities that made him irresistible to Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård). When Shiv (Sarah Snook) tells Matsson that “Tom will suck the biggest dick in the room,” the eyes of the unhinged GoJo founder light up. Then, when Matsson shares his worries about Shiv with Tom — basically, that he wants to have sex with her — Tom takes that, too, weakly offering an excuse about the weirdness of Matsson confessing that, of all things, to him, Shiv’s husband “We’re men.”

And so Tom becomes the American CEO of the subsumed Waystar Royco, sort of becoming the successor that’s promised in the title “Succession.” He brings along his lackey Greg (Nicholas Braun), the Sporus to Tom’s Nero, and triumphs over his brothers-in-law Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin), and his own wife, Shiv, who also wanted it.

But at the fateful Waystar board meeting, Shiv is the deciding vote against Kendall, telling him — among other things — “I just don’t think you’d be good at it.” Yet if Shiv was also deliberately backing her husband (and also the father of her future baby) for her own gain at that moment, the final image of the pair of them in the back of a car pulling out of the Waystar garage — looking shellshocked, if not miserable — undercuts that theory.

Macfadyen won the Emmy for supporting actor in a drama last year, and is already leading the pack in this year’s race — but to mention that both illustrates and diminishes his achievements in this role over the show’s four seasons. While always giving credit to “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong and his team of writers, Macfadyen has made Tom real, whether he was stabbing Shiv in the back in the Season 3 finale, speaking with her lovingly on the phone as her father died or tearing into her on the balcony of their home on election eve. In the sometimes-heightened world of “Succession,” Tom was tangible — because Macfadyen made him that way. 

At fuck o’clock on the morning after the “Succession” finale, as perhaps someone on the show might say, Macfadyen spoke with Variety about saying goodbye to Tom, that Tom-Greg fight in the finale, the TikToker who guessed the ending correctly — and what he thinks drove Shiv to reject Kendall.  

When did you find out that Tom was going to be the one to “win,” so to speak? 

Maybe halfway through? Jesse was very open with us all on set, and said, “If you want to know, come and see me.” Sometimes you don’t want to know — the other two seasons, I’d hadn’t known.

But I sort of knew it was coming to an end. And so I thought, let’s find out.

Did he then tell you how long he’d had this version of the ending in mind — for Tom to end up being the CEO? 

No, no — he just laid it out, and explained it. And it was quite complicated, but it made sense dramatically.

What did he tell you that was complicated? 

Well, complicated in the sense that because this was only Episode 4, I hadn’t seen the scripts for those episodes. So it was lots to digest — the whole thing of Shiv being in cahoots with Matsson, and then him betraying her. All the endless iterations of their alliances, the siblings and all that. So that was a lot to follow.

And also, you as an actor — I’ve said this a lot, and it’s true — but you sort of forget the details. Because it’s quite useful to forget them in case you get over-attached to them — because they may change.

Did he want you to adjust your performance at all, knowing what was coming? Or did you find that you did? 

Not at all. That’s the reason not to find out, because you can’t play the end. It’s seven months, eight months’ work, and you’re doing episode by episode, and the idea of telegraphing something that’s going to happen in six months’ time is impossible. And not useful for an actor. Tom doesn’t know what’s going to happen, and so you can’t play the end of the story in that way. 

What was the final table read like?

It was a wonderful thing to read, and also a very sad occasion, in many ways, because we sort of knew it was the end. It was quite poignant.

The physical fight between Greg and Tom, when Tom finds out that Greg called Kendall. Did you shoot it in a bunch of ways? 

I think we did, like, four or five takes, and a couple of angles. It was only a tiny bathroom on the set, so the operator can only get in one corner or the other. And we had a stunt coordinator, but we just decided to go for it and hit each other. It was really good fun. 

You hit each other for real?

That was real slapping, yeah! We just thought, “Oh, let’s go for it.” I trust Nick implicitly, and vice versa. He really hit me — you can see my shock, because he just conks me on the face. He slaps me on the face in that take they used.

Why does Tom forgive Greg? Is it because Greg has so much shit on him, or does he just like having Greg around?

I think he likes having Greg around — he recognizes a kindred spirit in Greg. They’re both outsiders. And they’ve both taken a lot of shit from everybody, even though Tom would never admit that. They have a lot of secrets together — they’ve done a lot of stuff together: They’ve covered up the cruise line stuff.

And I think Tom sort of admires Greg, in a demented mentor way. 

Really?

Yeah! Greg is not without deviousness, and ambition, and all the rest of it. He’s pretty slippery, and snake-like, and Tom can’t help but admire that — and is like, “Well, better stay with me.”

That last image of Tom and Shiv holding hands, like a dead fish placed atop another dead fish. How did the two of you decide what that handholding would look like?

I’m going to try and find my old script, but I think that was in the stage directions that Tom offered to hand, kind of regally. And then she doesn’t take the hand, she just puts her hand on top. We didn’t do many takes, we just played it very simply as it was written. It was a very charged, chilly atmosphere in the car.

It was all there: The last few pages of the episode were so beautifully written. Because a lot of it is descriptive, Kieran’s character Roman going to the bar, and Jeremy — just a beautiful bit of writing. When you get that as actors, it’s all there for you. 

I’ve only watched it this morning, so it was really thrilling to see that. You have an image of what it might look like in your mind from four months ago — whenever it was we shot it — but I thought it was a lovely two-shot of us in the back of the car. 

I was struck by Tom’s famous quote, “I wonder if the sad I’d be without you would be less than the sad I get from being with you.” Where do you think Tom’s sadness is as they pull out of the Waystar Royco garage? 

I don’t know! God knows what’s ahead of him. It may very well be when she gets home, she can’t — and she just leaves. I mean, who knows? Or that they make some sort of accommodation. Yeah. Don’t know. 

Shiv turned on Kendall, but she was also helping Tom, and she knew that. Did you and Sarah talk about that, and why she would do that?

It’s interesting, that, because a lot of people have said that. But that was never in my head. And I don’t know what Sarah thinks. But I don’t think it was anything to do with helping Tom. 

Oh, really? 

No! But I might be wrong. I don’t know, because it’s Sarah’s thing, but I think it’s just that she can’t stomach her brother. She goes to the board meeting to vote to block the deal, and also she’s just been royally betrayed by Matsson. There’s something in her that snaps, or that sort of curdles, when she sees him stand up — her brother as CEO — and make that speech. And she can’t do it.

I don’t think it’s calculated. I don’t think it’s like, “Oh, I can align myself with Tom.” Yeah, I think it’s just like [jerks awake] — she’s changed her mind. 

Shiv will now still be involved by marriage in the new company, and they’ll have Lukas Matsson in their lives. Have you thought about what that looks like?

I haven’t given it any thought, is the honest answer. The story is stopped in my head.

Oh, really? Is that how you do it? 

Totally. 

So you don’t have any visions of Tom as the American CEO of whatever this new company is?

No. I mean, maybe idly — but no, no. It’s stopped on that last image. That’s it, in my head.

Have you seen the viral TikTok by a name expert that there was a baseball player named Bill Wambsganss, and because of that, she predicted that Tom would be the “winner”?

I heard about that a couple of years ago. A producer friend of mine sent me a Wikipedia page about this guy has, something to do with the triple play. It’s kind of this obscure baseball thing.

Yes, he’s the only player ever to complete an unassisted triple play in a World Series. And this person predicted the Tom would be the CEO because he took out all three siblings.

Right. OK. Yeah. These people have a lot of time on their hands. 

She got it right! 

Ha, yeah.

Did you and Sarah Snook fill in the blanks about what would have happened between the two of them after the Season 3 finale after she found out what Tom had done? 

No, because then they never talked about it. They went home, then they split up and had a trial separation. She moved out, and he stayed in the flat — a few months had passed in between the end of Season 3 and beginning of Season 4. He was sort of playing the field with Greg, but they never had a conversation about it.

And that was a repeated thing from time to Shiv throughout, a couple of times: We haven’t talked about it. Can I explain why I did what I did? There was no postmortem. 

What a relationship.

Healthy!

When did you find out that Shiv was going to be pregnant this season? It was added later, right?

Yes. Sarah became pregnant — I’m not sure when that happened, it’s all gone in the mists of time — but it worked really well, I thought, for the story. It’s was kind of great, and awful. Because it’s the thing that Tom really wanted — and then he gets it at the worst time, after that catastrophic row. So it’s sad. He says to his mother-in-law it would be a dream come true, if it wasn’t such a fucking disaster.

What were your favorite scenes to film in Season 4?

Oh, gosh. I love the scenes with Sarah — all of them. In the beginning, when they first come back together, and in L.A. there’s a great scene where he talks about money, which is a really beautifully written scene — and “bitey,” that scene. Then, there was the fabulous scene on a balcony — that’s when we really let rip at each other.

What are your favorite Tom lines of all time? 

Too many to mention! I like, “He once called me the Cunt of Monte Cristo” — I do like that. There’s loads, there’s loads. Ha! Yeah, it’s an embarrassment of riches. I’ll leave it with “Monte Cristo.” 

I feel like people are going to shout “You won!” at you on in the streets now.

It’s a funny thing — because it’s not winning anything. I mean, that’s sort of missing the point by a million miles. Not to be literal, but it’s like, winning what? It’s just another move in a corporate nightmare.

Kendall obviously doesn’t see it that way. 

Yeah. Right. I thought it was so poignant, the scene when Roman’s saying, “We’re nothing,” you know — “We’re bullshit.” “You’re bullshit, I’m bullshit.” Brilliant writing and acting, and very bleak.

I know you said toward the beginning that you kind of knew that the show was wrapping up. But when was the moment when you officially found out that “Succession” was ending?

Jesse had always said that there may be a chance, that it might not be the end. But it felt very definite on the Episode 10 read-through. 

Oh, wow!

Yes, it was quite late! We sort of knew — it was 99% going to end, and then it was like, that’s it. 

It was very sad. There’s a sort of relief of finishing as well, because it’s been a long time, and you can’t play the same part forever. I don’t want to, and nobody does. But it’s been six years, and lots of really, really, really talented, lovely people. It’s a dream job, and Jesse is a lovely guy. 

What was your last day on set like?

There were a bunch of us all wrapped at the same time: It was the signing in the big boardroom. So we were all wrapped, apart from the people who were going to the Caribbean — they shot that later. So apart from Sarah and Jeremy and Kieran. It was sad. 

Did you cry?

I did have a little cry, yeah. I wasn’t the only one!

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Lala Kent is DONE with Tom Sandoval!

OK, to be fair, we kind of already knew that. But after Monday’s shocking reveal that he appeared to have been talking on the phone with Raquel Leviss over the weekend while on a flight to Pittsburgh to go perform there with his cover band, Lala is taking aim at the embattled Vanderpump Rules star once again!

Related: Did Lisa Vanderpump Know About Tom Sandoval & Raquel Leviss’ Affair?? She Says…

As Perezcious readers will no doubt recall, on Monday morning, we reported on jaw-dropping new pictures that showed Tom sitting on an airplane (presumably on the ground) and talking to someone on the phone. The snaps suggested that the name on his iPhone’s caller ID was that of Raquel herself.

Predictably, those pics sent all of VPR fandom into a tizzy! And now, the 32-year-old mom and frequent Scandoval critic has joined them!!

Late on Monday morning, Lala took to her Instagram Stories to slam the 40-year-old cover band frontman for what looked like a very brazen phone call to the woman with whom he had a months-long affair behind then-girlfriend Ariana Madix‘s back.

Steaming mad at the Tom Tom restaurant co-owner, Ocean Kent Emmett‘s momma wrote:

“Look at this clown checking in on his Main Chick before he goes to get f**ked up and bang his Side Chicks. Maybe even some randoms to add to the roladex [sic].”

And she wasn’t done there!! Lala continued:

“He’s also making sure he maintains his energy supply. He’s got to keep her where he needs her. He’s fully plugged into her and she thinks it’s because she’s loved, and cared about by him… [but it’s] nothing but an energy source for the narcissist.”

Damn!!!

Ch-ch-check it out for yourself (below):

Remember, this is FAR from the first time Lala has called out the Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman.

During the Vanderpump Rules season ten reunion special — which debuted its first part last week after being filmed way back in March — Randall Emmett‘s ex slammed Tom and Raquel repeatedly.

Related: Lala Says Randall Compared Her Giving Birth To ‘Exorcism’ WHILE She Was In Delivery!!

Among other comments Lala made on air, she told Bravo exec and reunion host Andy Cohen that Sandoval “is Randall” in terms of personality and issues! Lala said on the first part of the bombshell VPR reunion:

“Sandoval is Randall. Give it 10 years. He is Randall Emmett. It’s absolutely terrifying. I couldn’t get Randall to stay home and then when s**t hit the fan, I couldn’t get him the f**k out of the house … Everyone needs to be warned about this person. Like, this is a dangerous human being.”

So from that to this, Lala is not holding back!

Then again, she’s never been one to hold back, so we can’t say we’re surprised about this reaction to the new airplane photos.

Thoughts, Perezcious readers?? Share ’em down in the comments (below)!

[Image via Lala Kent/Instagram]

An actor plays a role to perfection when he not only takes the role seriously but has fun with it too. It is important for an actor to realize what his character has been through over time in order to relate to it. In the case of Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, she creates a timeline of her characters from the day they were born in order to get to know them. And one such character that she loves playing while also getting an Emmy nomination is Cassie Howard from Euphoria.

Even though she has always been a great student and looks have never been her priority, career-driven Sweeney chose to play Cassie, who is the exact opposite of how she is in real life. However, after she nailed the role of Cassie, she started getting too many offers and her fans became skeptical about whether she would return for the third season of the show.

The 25-year-old has confirmed her return and said that she would love to play the character. When asked about what her character’s trajectory will be, Sweeney told Variety, “Whatever Sam decides he wants to do with her, I fully intrust in Sam’s vision. I’m excited.”

This year, Sweeney took over a variety of projects, although she is really looking forward to playing the one from Euphoria.

Why is Sydney Sweeney excited to play the “Crazy Cassie”?

The Spokane native has a special connection to this role as it is the first role that got her fame. However, there is yet another reason why she is eager to play the role again. She told Variety that this role challenges the actor inside her because it is extremely crazy and dramatic.

This role is completely opposite to her original personality. Hence, she has to get out of her comfort zone to get into the skin of Cassie Howard. Cassie is someone who experiences emotions more than a normal person. She rides an emotional roller coaster faster than any other character on the show and that’s what drives Sweeney towards her.

Over time, Sweeney has gotten attached to this character, and it is also one of the reasons she wants to play it. Unlike Euphoria’s one of the major cast, Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat on the show, Sweeney is returning for season 3, with the actress revealing the expections from the character.

What are your thoughts about Sweeney’s devotion to Cassie? Tell us in the comments.