Entertainment

Don’t forget the sharp ensemble of ‘Industry’

Described by some as “Euphoria” meets “Succession,” Mickey Down and Konrad Kay’s “Industry” carves out territory all its own.


Driven by exceptional ensemble performances, Season 3 of the drama set in a London investment bank put the global financial system, class and media on edge, while also tackling racism, misogyny, addiction, sexual assault and harassment. Quite a task that ‘Industry’ handles deftly, with a good dose of dark humor.


The exceptional cast includes Myha’la as Harper, who, as an African American woman from a random US state university she never graduated from, has too many criticisms to count, but still manages to reach the top; Ken Leung as Eric, a killer at work but always on the verge of losing control; Sagar Radia, the ambitious South Asian trader who marries into posh English society and has serious addiction problems; and Harry Lawtey, the working-class boy from Oxbridge whose naivety about so-called meritocracy continually trips him up.


As the myriad plot points tangle and reach critical mass, supporting players Sarah Goldberg, Trevor White, Miriam Petche, and Jay Duplass deliver gems.


In this highly skilled cast and compelling characters, it is Marisa Abela’s Yasmin who takes center stage in Season 3. Yasmin, the heiress to a publishing empire, finds her job at Pierpont & Co. beset by industry sexism, a dysfunctional family, her predatory father and low expectations about her abilities. Is it because she is beautiful? Maybe. Despite speaking multiple languages ​​– Abela switches seamlessly between Arabic, Italian, English and French in some scenes – she is constantly told that she is, well, a dim light.

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She grows wiser in Season 3, when the scales gradually fall from her eyes as she hooks up with Ayahuasca-loving aristo Henry Muck (Kit Harington has fun in a great performance). Muck sees himself as a tech innovator and recognizes in Yasmin a comparable poor, small, rich child.


Their relationship is the turning point for Down and Kay to truly achieve their goals as Yasmin taps into her inner Machiavelli. The showrunners expose the corrupt British media, the lengths the gatekeepers will go to thwart ‘outsiders’ and the manipulation of the global economy in the name of greed.


One victim of this massacre is Lawtey’s Rob, another character who comes to light while being betrayed by Yasmin (whom he has been in love with since season 1). Lawtey’s heartbreaking performance gives the series a relatable emotion.


Season 3 also gives us a standalone episode focused on Rishi, with bravado from Radia as we follow him on a tense gambling night full of drugs and alcohol.


Notably, Down and Kay directed the final two episodes of the season, which deliver explosive plot twists alongside poignant moments and pure emotion.


“Above all, it was a lot of fun and very satisfying. It felt like a very logical and streamlined extension of our creative process after writing so much of the show,” the duo told Variety earlier this year. “It was very rewarding to be able to execute something that was as close to our mind’s eye as we could hope for. We have tremendous confidence in our cast and crew, and with their support they have made it easy for us.”

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Like “Succession” – and countless other shows – we still root for these greedy, manipulative, self-centered characters. “The secret is to never view them as horrible and to write them from a place of love and understanding,” Konrad and Kay said. “Then be sure to cast world-class actors whose naturalism and humanity anchor audiences in their experience, even as they make questionable choices.”

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