Ramy Youssef Says Jesse Armstrong’s HBO Film ‘Mountainhead’ Is ‘Funny in the Way “Succession” Is’ (2025)

Fans missing the bone-dry wit of “Succession” may finally quench their thirst with Jesse Armstrong’s new HBO satire “Mountainhead.”

While promoting his new adult animated series “#1 Happy Family USA,” Ramy Youssef — one of the leads in the “Succession” creator’s feature film debut — called the project “funny in the same way ‘Succession’ is.”

“‘Succession’ is one of the best comedies ever made — and this film is certainly funny in the same way,” Youssef toldVarietyon Wednesday night at the “#1 Happy Family USA” premiere in New York. “Jesse’s writing is on another level. It’s really hard to find something of that caliber, so getting to do it was such a joy.”

“Mountainhead” follows a group of billionaire friends as they convene against the backdrop of an international crisis. The ensemble of snowed-in billionaires also includes Steve Carell as Randall, Jason Schwartzman as Souper/Hugo Van Yalk, and Cory Michael Smith as Venis. Hadley Robinson, Andy Daly, Ali Kinkade, Daniel Oreskes, David Thompson, Amie MacKenzie and Ava Kostia also star.

HBOrecently releaseda batch of first-look photos from “Mountainhead” that showcase the ominous, snow-covered setting. The film premieres May 31 at 8 p.m. on HBO and will stream on Max.

Youssef, who plays a character named Jeff, was tight-lipped about which real-life billionaires may have inspired his performance: “I’ll just say I looked at them all. They all have certain things in common.”

Armstrong serves as writer and director, while executive producing alongside his “Succession” collaborators Frank Rich, Lucy Prebble, Jon Brown, Tony Roche, Will Tracy and Mark Mylod, as well as “Severance” producer Jill Footlick.

“#1 Happy Family USA” is set in 2001 and explores the systemic hardships of a Muslim family in post-9/11 America (or ‘Amreeka,’ as the official tagline reads). Executive producer and illustrator Mona Chalabi said the show pulls from several shows of that era, including “The Boondocks,” “Doug,” “Daria” and “King of the Hill.”

At the same time, the adult animated series speaks directly to contemporary cultural issues. Youssef, who drew backlash for saying “Free Palestine” during his recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue, has stood by the moment, calling it “not controversial.” Yet when it comes to “#1 Happy Family USA,” he wants audiences to know that it’s “first and foremost a comedy.”

“It’s a cartoon, so there’s nothing to be taken too seriously,” Youssef said. “We cover some of the darker things, but on the other hand, it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever made or been a part of. It’s my favorite kind of dumb.”

Randa Jarrar, the sole Palestinian in the cast, applauded Youssef’s tenacity and said she hopes the series helps break down some of the cultural barriers that are still present in New York.

“The fact that in New York people will give you looks just for wearing a Gahfiya, it feels like 9/11 all over again,” Jarrar said. “I just feel like as a culture, we almost never learn from our mistakes. 1.5 million Iraqis were killed because of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, and the lies they told. We have an opportunity now, through making art and shows like this, to finally do something to resist that kind of hatred.”

All eight episodes of “#1 Happy Family USA” are streaming now on Prime Video.

See more photos from the “#1 Happy Family USA” premiere below.