Netflix’s Rupert Murdoch Documentary Sparks ‘Succession’ Comparisons as Power Struggles Unfold

Published 03/22/2026, 6:42 PM EDT

The thin line between fictional drama and corporate reality has completely dissolved as a new dive into the Murdoch empire reveals a family dynamic more ruthless than any scripted series. Viewers watched as a single television death forced one of the world's most powerful men to confront the inevitable collapse of his own legacy.

The new Netflix documentary, Dynasty: The Murdochs, has sent shockwaves through the streaming world by highlighting the uncanny parallels between the family and the Roys of Succession. This art-imitating-life moment has sparked intense debate among fans who previously viewed the HBO drama as a mere caricature.

One of the most jarring revelations involves the reaction to the Logan Roy passing away episode, which reportedly spurred frantic discussions within the real Murdoch inner circle. Viewers are finding it fascinating how the show mirrors real-life conflicts, particularly regarding the lack of a formal transition plan for the aging patriarch.

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This documentary shows that the television portrayal actually prompted the family to take their own succession planning more seriously than ever before. As reported by The Guardian as well, in April 2023, following an episode of Succession, Mr. Murdoch’s children initiated preparations for his death. 

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It will not be a stretch to say that this documentary has reignited interest in the cutthroat world of media dynasties.

Documentary, Dynasty: The Murdochs sparks comparisons

Reddit users are increasingly convinced that showrunners must have had internal sources at News Corp, given the scenes that match the documentary Dynasty: The Murdochs' findings.

“Early copies are watermarked in a certain way to trace the source of the leak, should one occur”, “a lot of the things discussed in the doc are literal scenes from Succession," and “I have a sneaking suspicion somebody, from NewsCorp, was leaking stuff to showrunners,” viewers wrote.

“The dialog is well written”, “It is crazy how it does mirror the real-life Murdochs,” and “I guess the writer got a lot of good materials since the Murdochs live a very public lifestyle for most of their lives”- viewers were triggered to rewatch the entire series with a fresh perspective.

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Ultimately, Dynasty: The Murdochs proves that the most gripping narratives are often those grounded in the truth of human ambition and family betrayal. The success of the documentary has driven a massive surge in viewership for related dramas as fans look for more clues about the real people behind the headlines.

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What do you think about Dynasty: The Murdochs and the comparisons viewers are making? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1089 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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