'Best show since Succession': This gripping new dark comedy should be your watchlist

If, like me, you're still missing the Roy family more than three years after Jesse Armstrong's award-winning Succession came to its dramatic end, you're in luck. The Audacity, a razor-sharp new dark comedy, has just landed on HBO Max in the UK - and viewers are already calling it the "best series" since the acclaimed tragicomedy.

The eight-part drama, which first premiered in the US on AMC in April, is set inside the world of egocentric tech titans in Silicon Valley, centring on Duncan Park (Billy Magnussen), the frantic CEO of a data analytics company, as he attempts to save his business.

Unsurprisingly, the show has drawn immediate comparisons to Armstrong's biting satire. Created and written by Jonathan Glatzer - whose impressive resume includes Succession, Bad Sisters, and Better Call Saul - and with Killing Eve producer Gina Mingacci ialso on board, it's no wonder audiences are already hooked.

Keep reading to find out more. 

What is The Audacity about? 

The official synopsis reads: "Set inside the bubble of Silicon Valley, The Audacity takes on the warped dreams, outsized egos, and ethical lapses of the self-styled inventors of the future. In a world of jaded billionaires, psychiatrist-gurus, bio-hacked tech bros, AI labs and disillusioned teens being optimized in elite private schools, an audacious data-mining CEO (Billy Magnussen) strives to turn insight and influence into profit and power. 

"The darkly comedic drama confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world."

What have viewers and critics said about The Audacity?

Viewers have praised the show on social media. One fan posted: "Just finished binging #TheAudacity it's so GOOD," while another praised the show as "brilliant," describing it as "the best series since Succession. Hands down."

A third viewer shared: "The Audacity delivers a gripping corporate thriller that hooked me, even if it stumbles occasionally and on the landing."

Critics have been equally positive. In its four-star review, The Guardian hailed the series as "cracking TV packed with even more gloriously awful people than Succession," while Time noted: "If you come to TV for messy, fascinating characters and insight into how those personalities shape our reality, for better or worse, then your patience will be rewarded."

Collider added: "The Audacity isn't perfect, but the effort Magnussen gives nearly is."

Who stars in The Audacity? 

Billy Magnussen leads the cast as Duncan Park. 

He's joined by Sarah Goldberg as Dr. JoAnne Felder, Zach Galifianakis as Carl Bardolph, Lucy Punch as Lili Park-Hoffsteader, Simon Helberg as Martin Phister, Rob Corddry as Tom Ruffage, Meaghan Rath as Anushka Bhattachera-Phister and Paul Adelstein as Dr. Gary Felder.

Rounding out the cast are Everett Blunck as Orson Stern, Thailey Roberge as Tess Phister and Ava Marie Telek as Jamison Park-Hoffsteader, with Randall Park guest starring as Gabe, the qualm-free CFO of a data mining operation. 

How to watch The Audacity

The Audacity is available to stream on HBO Max in the UK and Ireland. Episodes debut weekly on Thursdays. In the US, the series is available to stream on AMC+.