# ‘Succession’ Star Arian Moayed on Gaza, Iran, and the Rich People Who ‘Run Everything’

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyPhHuBKtQU
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/OyPhHuBKtQU
Generated: 2025-10-28T13:34:00.838+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Arian Moayed, star of "Succession," discusses the show's impact on him and his family, noting that while he loves the show's portrayal of power dynamics, the open discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iranian diaspora's activism has created concerns regarding his family's safety and public perception, forcing him to be cautious about what he says publicly.

**Key Points:**
- Moayed initially loved 'Succession' but grew concerned when discussions about complex real-world issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began to bleed into the public narrative surrounding the show.
- He cites the Iranian diaspora's strong political engagement and activism, especially following the Mahsa Amini protests in 2022-2023, as a source of personal anxiety.
- Moayed mentioned that his family, who are Iranian immigrants, are scared to speak out because of the political climate, fearing repercussions like deportation or being labeled extremists.
- He notes that while the show itself has nuanced moral arcs, the public reaction often simplifies characters into purely 'good' or 'bad' based on their political stances, which he finds damaging.
- Moayed revealed that his work on 'Succession' (playing Stewy Hosseini) and his political activism led to him being recognized in public, sometimes resulting in uncomfortable interactions.
- He admires the show's writing, particularly how it handles complex, messy moral ambiguity rather than simple good-vs-evil narratives.
- The conversation shifts to the idea that the arc of history bends toward justice, even if slowly, contrasting the slow pace of justice with the immediate, often negative, attention celebrities receive.

![Screenshot at 00:01: Arian Moayed and Mehdi Hasan are engaged in a conversation on the 'We're Not Kidding' podcast set, discussing Moayed's views on 'Succession' and current events.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-00-01.png)

**Context:** The video features an interview between Mehdi Hasan (host) and Arian Moayed (actor known for playing Stewy Hosseini on HBO's 'Succession'). The discussion centers on Moayed's personal experiences navigating fame, his Iranian heritage, his political activism, and how these elements intersect with the themes and public reception of 'Succession,' particularly concerning Middle Eastern politics and diaspora identity.

## Detailed Analysis

The interview opens with the hosts, Mehdi Hasan and Arian Moayed, discussing the blurring lines between fiction and reality concerning the political and social issues portrayed in 'Succession.' Moayed initially loved the show's complex moral landscape, noting that its depth, like that of a Shakespearean drama, was due to being shot on film, which allowed for nuance. However, he expresses growing concern that public discourse, fueled by media cycles, simplifies these complexities. Moayed, being Iranian-American, discusses the heightened anxiety among the Iranian diaspora due to recent protests in Iran following Mahsa Amini's death. He describes receiving calls from his family in Iran who are scared to speak out against the regime, fearing deportation or being labeled extremists by those who oppose the Iranian diaspora's pro-human rights stance in the US. Moayed specifically mentions that some Iranians who support the current regime hate that figures like him (who are outspoken on human rights) are visible. Moayed contrasts the moral complexity of 'Succession'—where characters' actions aren't always clearly 'good' or 'bad'—with the simplistic, binary narratives often imposed by public opinion and media coverage, noting that this simplification is problematic. He cites his own experience as an actor whose role in 'Succession' (playing a character who bombs Iran) made him fear public backlash, even though the character's actions in the show were fictional. He humorously notes that the constant public exposure he receives, even for mundane things like getting groceries, forces him to be cautious. The discussion concludes with Moayed expressing a cautious optimism that, despite the slow pace of justice (referencing the arc of history bending toward justice), people who value human rights and progressive dialogue must continue to speak out.

### Discussion on Succession's Themes

- The truth of succession dials into what we're witnessing daily in our news cycles
- Elite group of 10-15 people run everything
- The show is messy and complex, not just black and white.

### Iranian Diaspora and Activism

- Moayed's family in Iran are scared to speak out against the government
- He worries about being labeled an extremist for supporting pro-Israel or pro-human rights views
- He notes the hypocrisy where some Iranians want to deport others to the US.

### Personal Career/Identity Intersection

- Moayed has acted as both Israeli and Palestinian characters in theatre
- He was nominated for a Tony for 'The Band's Visit' and was in 'Mystic Pizza'
- He mentions his role in 'Succession' as a character who bombed Iran, which contrasts with his real-life identity.

### The Arc of Justice

- Moayed believes that while justice is slow, the arc of history bends towards it, referencing the Iranian revolution and the continuous fight for human rights.

### Podcast Outro and Call to Action

- Hosts sign off and encourage viewers to like, subscribe, and visit Zeteo.com for exclusive content.

![Screenshot at 0:00: The two hosts, Mehdi Hasan \(left\) and Arian Moayed \(right\), seated in plush chairs in a modern podcast studio setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-00-00.png)
![Screenshot at 0:15: Arian Moayed gesturing animatedly while discussing the show 'Succession' and its themes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-00-15.png)
![Screenshot at 0:34: Mehdi Hasan referencing a note sheet while discussing Donald Trump's actions regarding Iran.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-00-34.png)
![Screenshot at 1:15: The hosts introduce themselves as Mehdi Hassan and Arian Moayed on the 'We're Not Kidding' podcast.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-01-15.png)
![Screenshot at 2:28: Arian Moayed using his hands to emphasize a point about how people are treated, contrasting them with an 'Uber God'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-02-28.png)
![Screenshot at 3:45: Arian Moayed speaking passionately while gesturing outwards, discussing the importance of the Iranian people's fight.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-03-45.png)
![Screenshot at 5:58: A clip from 'Succession' plays showing two characters in a tense, dark scene, used as an example by Moayed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-05-58.png)
![Screenshot at 5:10: Mehdi Hasan delivering the outro message against a backdrop of the White House, asking viewers to like, share, and subscribe to Zeteo.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/OyPhHuBKtQU/00-05-10.png)