Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for HBO's Succession.The characters of Succession are quite hard to rank by likability because so few of them are genuinely likable. The best Succession characters continue to dominate discussions among fans online, especially after the explosive events of the fourth season of the show. It's rare to see a show as popular as this, with most of the characters being less than ideal kinds of protagonists. Maybe that's the secret to the show's success.

Still, it's easy to recognize genuine human emotion in many of the characters, especially the Roy children. They all vie for their father's approval and attention, slowly becoming like him – on purpose or accidentally, that's up to the viewers to decide. Ranking Succession's characters from least to most likable highlight the power-hungry individuals' flaws and positive traits. Succession Season 4 definitely stuck the landing, and as fans are missing the Roys, it's the perfect time to revisit the ranking of some supposedly likable characters in the series.

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12 Karl Muller

Played by David Rasche

Who hasn't related to Karl's (David Rasche) "Full disclosure, I'm having a panic attack"? This is one of the most frequently used phrases among Succession's loyal fans, and it gave Karl Muller an increase in popularity. Karl isn't afraid to stand up for himself when he feels the need to, but he's simply the most innocent-seeming CFO in the world, at least until Logan's (Brian Cox) death.

Karl's often childlike confusion over decisions in the company makes him relatable and easy to like. His retorts are also the most memorable out of all the secondary characters in the show. His putdown of Kendall (Jeremy Strong) before his big presentation in Season 4 has understandably divided fans, realizing that the CFO doesn't back down easily. It also quickly made many viewers realize that he's not worth rooting for, as in the grand scheme of things, Karl has been and always will be a nobody.

11 Greg Hirsch

Played by Nicholas Braun

Greg (Nicholas Braun) is part-Roy, on his mother's side. Logan is his great-uncle, making Kendall and the other kids his uncles (and aunt). At first, Greg was a bit too clumsy for his good. For a while, Season 1 felt like it was from his perspective. Viewers are also these people just getting to know the Roys, so it's unclear if anyone else would act differently from Greg at the beginning.

Regardless of his start, Greg's evolution pairs with Tom's (Matthew MacFadyen) – he went from a clumsy and tactless guy to a clumsy and calculated one. Some things are pretty likable about him; he can't seem to fake emotions, and he doesn't attempt to understand and sympathize with manipulation. But Greg can also be one of the most annoying characters on the show, making dim-witted decisions like rejecting his multi-million dollar inheritance for a chance at success in Waystar and talking to the author trying to write about Logan's life. One thing's for sure, Nicholas Braun was the perfect choice for this role.

10 Willa Ferreyra

Played by Justine Lupe

Perhaps expected, but Willa (Justine Lupe), at the start of the series didn't have many redeeming qualities. She's Connor's (Alan Ruck) wife and an aspiring playwright, but it was always overly apparent she doesn't care for Connor the same way he does for her. Others might argue that Willa isn't manipulative, just using Connor's infatuation to get out of a tough life situation. Some folks simply do what they can to get out of a bad place, and this is her way.

In the last season, though, Willa has proven to be more likable and genuine, especially after her reassurance to Connor that she's happy and content with him. Plus, a snarky comment she made to Marcia (Hiam Abbass) in Season 4 was satisfying and earned her some points in the fandom. "Well, look at us both, right?" – a line that highlights her honesty and acceptance of her position in the family, and a shady Succession quote that points to Marcia's hypocrisy.

9 Logan Roy

Played by Brian Cox

A successful CEO that's made a massive name for himself isn't a popular title to have nowadays, and Brian Cox's portrayal of Logan Roy takes notes from that. Cox is the epicenter of the show so often that even in Logan's low moments, he manages to make him stand out. After all, a character like that is impossible to avoid.

Arguably the best character in a show about mostly bad people, Logan isn't at the very bottom probably because of that charisma. However, he tends to be cruel and demeaning to people who only want his approval. Even if he dislikes groveling, his cold and harsh responses to it make him almost evil, regardless of being the most powerful character. Some may call that a "no b.s. attitude" but masking cruelty with "alpha male" behavior is often dangerous. In the end, his pride and arrogance robbed him of the chance of a last goodbye and a proper relationship with his children, as well as an actual proper succession plan that could have prevented the mess the Roy kids now have to wade through.

8 Kendall Roy

Played by Jeremy Strong

Kendall Roy is entitled, impulsive, angry, and completely lost. This can often make him more likable than not, although not all of his moves are sound-minded. He rapped on stage for his dad and threw a massive birthday party where he misplaced a gift from his children. He's made some horrible decisions, but Kendall always seemed the most self-aware of his shortcomings of all the Roys.

This may also be due to Jeremy Strong's fantastic performance, but Kendall always seems so sad. It's hard not to feel bad for him. He struggles with his demons and wants to do better, but is always dragged down by his father's disapproval. Following his father's death, however, Kendall proved just how much of a hypocrite he was, and how all he really wanted was his father's approval (even if it is just an unclear scribble on a piece of paper). Despite waging a battle against Waystar, he quickly turned around and owned the legacy he now believes is rightly passed down to him, proving that he craves power in Succession. And, as usual, everything else (including his sister and brother) takes a backseat to his narcissistic journey.

7 Marcia Roy

Played by Hiam Abbass

Marcia is no ordinary stepmother. As Logan's wife, she proves over the course of the series that she has a strong influence over the empire and a remarkable understanding of the dysfunctional family's dynamics. Calculating and reserved on the outside, but actually wonderfully complex, it's an understatement to say that she's one of the most captivating characters on the show.

Marcia doesn't back down from a fight, which can be annoying for fans who may be rooting for other characters, like Shiv (Sarah Snook) or even Willa. However, it's undeniable that Marcia's tenacity and hidden brilliance make her at least a little more likable than her husband, even if she does have her own selfish intentions. She plays the role of the perfect wife but only to a certain point, as, like most other people on the show, Marcia puts her own interests first, which can be frustrating for some, but commendable for others.

6 Stewy Hosseini

Played by Arian Moayed

Introduced as Kendall's business partner and confidant, Stewy steadily gew into a cunning fixture and a formidable player in the corporate battlefield that the Roys are in. Witty and charming, Stewy makes characters like Kendall believe he's on their side, but can just as quickly turn around and cling to the better deal, which happens more than once. His drug-fueled parties and over-the-top reactions also make for some of the most hilarious moments on Succession.

Because of his unclear allegiance and somewhat dirty tactics, some viewers may understandably be irked by most of his actions. It's impossible to truly hate Stewy, though, as all that inspires is a feeling of being genuinely impressed by his strategies. Stewy may not be a Roy, and he may never have the power that he wants so badly, but there's no denying that he plays the game well (and he plays the game dirty, when necessary).

5 Connor Roy

Played by Alan Ruck

There's a group of fans calling themselves the Conheads, and they wouldn't be too happy with Connor's list placement. Connor wouldn't be either, but that's something he would likely try to solve with money or by pulling names out of a hat. Connor has some powerful acquaintances, but his idea of making things right is mostly expressed in dollar bills.

Although he has some redeemable qualities, Alan Ruck successfully and masterfully made Connor just a bit... cringe-y. Ruck is impeccably cast as the out-of-touch and often overconfident yet still somehow insecure Roy, as all of these contradictions are perfectly captured by the actor. Connor's decisions always seem to come at the wrong time, and he is pretty much delusional all the time. What redeems him is his ambition and drive to go his own route and create something other than being a Roy legacy.

4 Tom Wambsgans

Played by Matthew Macfadyen

Tom isn't just Shiv's husband anymore. He's made his way into the ranks, which, for a while, made it seem possible for him to become the potential heir to Logan Roy's empire (which is ironic considering how the series ends). While that's sneaky, it seems like Tom is the only person showing some glints of humanity in high-stakes situations.

Maybe that's mostly down to Matthew MacFadyen, but Tom's charm takes time to uncover. He went from a seemingly spineless chump that likes to bully the weak (or basically, Greg) to a very adept businessman. It seems like he loved Shiv, but lost patience for her, which turned him bitter. Some men go to the gym, but Tom just overturns divorce agreements. With his main protector gone, Tom was a little bit lost for a while, and his surprising return into Shiv's arms seems motivated by genuine love rather than fear of losing his place in Waystar. A vulnerable moment had fans liking him (and Tom and Shiv's new relationship) even more, as he admitted that the difference between their upbringing and view of money complicated their love. Is everyone happy he ended up on top? No. Was it the ending that made the most sense? Definitely.

3 Roman Roy

Played by Kieran Culkin

Let's face it, Roman is funny. His jokes cause people to laugh out loud, especially when they're ill-timed or too honest. It's easy for characters to win an audience with laughter, but Roman also hides a lot of suppressed trauma beneath that facade. Kieran Culkin's incredible performance brought the character to life uniquely and charmingly, leaving viewers to wonder if he's honest or manipulative.

As Logan's youngest child, Roman most likely feels like he has to jump through bigger and taller hoops to get on his good side – many episodes have certainly proven that. The great part about Roman is that he doesn't give up, even when fighting for the wrong side. He's also the one who clearly loves his family deeply, as seen in the way he's taking Logan's death and how loyal he remains to his legacy. Kieran Culkin is a versatile and fantastic actor, but his portrayal of Roman deserves all the accolades.

2 Gerri Kellman

Played by J. Smith-Cameron

Many fans' favorite Succession character and one of the hardest workers in Waystar RoyCo, Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron) isn't part of the Roy family, but she seems to be the most grounded character. Gerri knows what she's been working for all her life, and wears it on her sleeve. Despite some troubling escapades with Roman and potentially glossing over the cruise scandals, she, of course, is far from perfect, but her head seems screwed on the best.

This choice may not be the first for many viewers, since ranking Succession characters can be a very subjective game. Still, from a fairly sound-minded point of view, Gerri is the best thing if only everyone would stop underestimating her so much. In many ways, she's more deserving of promotions than all the Roy kids, and it's easy to like her if only for the fact that so many hardworking yet unrewarded viewers can easily relate to her position.

1 Shiv Roy

Played by Sarah Snook

Siobhan "Shiv" Roy is right in the perfect middle, a character that's neither here nor there. Sarah Snook made Shiv powerful and headstrong, but she also masterfully gave her a sobering lack of empathy that Tom likely wasn't aware of from the start. Shiv is capable of love and sadness, but she pushes it all down. Growing up in a man's world can do that to a woman, indeed.

Shiv can be just as ruthless as the next Roy, and is definitely more badass and cool-headed about it. In fact, she's the one most similar to Logan and, though he may see it, his acknowledgment of it (and her) is lacking, at best. After his death, Shiv is pushed aside by her brothers as they run the company "as equals," which just makes fans want to root for her more. Considering her brilliant idea to forge a connection with Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård), she had a real shot at the throne. Considering how it all went down, one can argue she's already sitting there next to Tom (and her two Golden Globe Awards and Primetime Emmy Award for the role).

NEXT: The Best Episodes of 'Succession', Ranked