Industry Actress Confirms Character's Ghislaine Maxwell Inspiration
Marisa Abela, the Bafta-winning star of the BBC financial drama Industry, has disclosed that her character Yasmin Kara-Hanani is "loosely inspired" by convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. This revelation adds a chilling real-world dimension to the show's intricate plotlines.
Parallels Between Fiction and Reality
In the series, Abela portrays Yasmin, the heiress to a publishing empire founded by her wealthy father Charles Hanani, played by Adam Levy. The storyline took a dramatic turn in season three when Charles' body was discovered in the Mediterranean Sea after he apparently fell from his luxury yacht, which was named after his daughter.
This narrative element bears a striking resemblance to the real-life tragedy of Robert Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell's father, who died in 1991 after falling from his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine. Abela acknowledged this connection in an interview with Vulture, stating, "The fact that Yasmin's father was a publishing tycoon and died on a boat called the Lady Yasmin, all of these things are [part of it]."
Yasmin's Complex Journey in Industry
The latest season of Industry delves deeper into Yasmin's world, where her husband Henry, portrayed by Kit Harington, serves as CEO of the fintech startup Tender. The plot thickens as Yasmin uncovers that co-founder Whitney, played by Max Minghella, hired executive assistant Hayley, acted by Kiernan Shipka, from an escort agency. This character was allegedly used to sleep with powerful individuals for blackmail purposes.
When questioned about comparisons between Whitney and Yasmin with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Abela elaborated on her character's psyche. She described Yasmin as a young woman who has "never been able to get a foothold on the feeling of safety or power" but now finds herself in "intense proximity to power."
Abela's Deliberate Distance from Maxwell's Case
Despite the obvious parallels, Abela emphasized her intentional effort to keep Yasmin distinct from Maxwell. She explained, "It felt loosely inspired by something that is so prevalent in the media." The actress further noted that developments in the Epstein case were unfolding even during filming, making the topic particularly sensitive.
"Things were unfolding with the files even as we were filming, but especially now, the whole topic is horrifying and disgusting and very real [so] that I'm very glad I didn't draw too close a parallel," Abela added, referencing the recent release of over three million files by the US Department of Justice in February 2026.
The Real-Life Backdrop: Epstein and Maxwell
Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for child sex trafficking offences related to her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein himself died by suicide in prison in 2023 at age 66, prior to facing trial for accusations of operating a vast network exploiting underage girls.
The recently unsealed documents have exposed the extensive reach of Epstein's connections, implicating numerous high-profile figures. Notably, Epstein was invited by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Buckingham Palace and provided thousands to Lord Peter Mandelson for his husband's osteopathy course. Mandelson later admitted to a "lapse in judgment" regarding the acceptance of these funds.
Abela, who won the Best Actress Bafta in 2025 for her role in the BBC drama, continues to navigate these complex themes with nuance, ensuring her portrayal remains compelling without exploiting the grim realities that inspired it.
