If you're searching for your next television obsession, look no further. Sex may sell, but stocks sell faster — and thankfully, this electrifying drama has a firm grip on both with no intention of loosening it.
What Is 'Industry' About?
Industry is a BAFTA award-winning drama that kicks off with four fresh graduates competing head-to-head for a permanent role at London investment bank Pierpoint and Co. From their very first day, it's anyone's game, and all four interpret the rulebook rather differently. Don't be put off by the dense financial jargon; it's largely baffling, yet somehow utterly mesmerising all the same.
For those with a background in finance, it's undoubtedly even more exhilarating, though there's plenty of drama to satisfy everyone.
A Unique Protagonist
Sordid, sexy and razor-sharp, Industry is essential viewing, and the central character of Harper Stern, portrayed by Myha'la, is quite unlike anything else on screen. She may be slight in stature, but this is a woman who carries enormous clout and is unashamedly forthright about enjoying "the kind of feminism where women can be c***s," as she puts it.
Harper will stop at nothing to reach the top. Her nail-biting escapades are met with both admiration and contempt by those surrounding her in equal measure.
Complex Relationships
The deeply complex relationship between Harper and fellow graduate Yasmin Karsa-Hanani (Marisa Abela) sits at the very core of Industry, leaving you constantly oscillating between which of the two you despise more at any given moment.
In the subsequent series, the narrative expands beyond merely finance and trading to explore the class tensions that infiltrate every corner of British society. This is where we witness a career-defining performance from Game of Thrones alum Kit Harington as Sir Henry Muck — the unpredictable, melancholic aristocrat who conceals himself behind ill-conceived business ventures to shield himself from the truth that he possesses precious few genuine personal relationships.
Why You Should Watch
Everyone in Industry is attempting to extract something from somebody else, but threaded through this merciless pursuit of self-interest lies a network of captivating interpersonal dynamics, bound together with razor-sharp dialogue and even the odd laugh-out-loud moment concealed amongst all the darkness.
With a 91% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes across four series, it's not just me championing this programme. It's amongst the finest television since Succession, and I'm eagerly anticipating series five. While there's no confirmed date for the fifth and final series, I'll be tuning in when it arrives.
Industry is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, HBO Max or Apple TV.
