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The Stars of Industry on How It Became the Must-Watch Show of the Summer

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The Stars of Industry on How It Became the Must-Watch Show of the Summer

As a keen observer of the world of television and its characters, I must say that the journeys of Harper, Yasmin, and their portrayers, Myha’la Herrold and Marisa Abela, have been nothing short of captivating. Their performances are a testament to their resilience, talent, and the lessons they’ve learned from life experiences.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, it’s no surprise that the vibrant cast of “Industry” found themselves lounging on a luxurious yacht. This captivating series, which delves into the lives of Gen Z bankers in London’s bustling financial district (a.k.a. The City), doesn’t shy away from showcasing its characters indulging in designer drugs at Berlin clubs or engaging in intimate moments within the office setting. But let’s be clear, it’s not just about high-stakes trades; they know how to let loose – and this season, that party moved to a stunning yacht off the coast of Mallorca! It’s worth noting that this extravagant scene was indeed filmed in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, rather than the usual soundstage in the drizzly, overcast city of Cardiff, Wales. This shift in location is just one of many indicators that “Industry” is undergoing a stylish transformation. Marisa Abela, one of the stars, chuckles as she shares her thoughts during a video call, “Mallorca was a refreshing change of scenery.”

In the debut episode of the third season, airing on HBO on Aug. 11, Yasmin, played by Abela’s character, stands on the railing of a ship called the Lady Yasmin, named after her by her publishing tycoon father. She alternates between puffs on a cigarette and sips of champagne. As she turns to face away, her face is marked by tears. A passerby captures her image with a camera, an image that will later appear in the gossip magazines, mirroring paparazzi shots of figures such as Princess Diana or Amy Winehouse, the latter of whom Abela portrayed in a biopic this year. One might be inclined to sympathize with “the woes of a rich girl,” if not for the two previous seasons showing us the strained relationship between Yasmin and her father.

In a brief yet poignant scene, Harper (Myha’la), sporting tattoos and stylish shades, firmly but sympathetically tells Yasmin to stop crying. This moment will be revisited frequently throughout the series as it unfolds, for this season takes a different approach – delving into a mystery instead of the usual storyline. The mystery at hand revolves around Yasmin’s father, who is revealed to be dishonest and has mysteriously vanished. His last known location: a yacht.

HBO has moved its upcoming series into the prestigious Sunday evening time slot formerly held by “Succession” and “Game of Thrones,” and has secured Kit Harington, a star from the latter show, as a main cast member, marking a significant addition. This series stands out due to its lower production costs compared to other high-end dramas featuring big-name stars and costly CGI effects like dragons. The network found value in the budget-friendly team behind the series, led by creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay who have a background in finance. Many of the young actors involved were also relatively affordable.

The cable network is yearning for a television series that could potentially win an Emmy award, to fill the void left by “Succession” wrapping up last year. This is particularly important since “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus” won’t be back until 2025. The show “Industry” draws inspiration from all these popular series: Similar to “Succession,” it enjoys satirizing the wealthy elite; much like “Euphoria,” it is rife with themes of sex, drugs, and yet, its young characters possess an overwhelming pessimism; and akin to “The White Lotus,” this season unfolds as a mystery.

Although Industry boasts a devoted online following and has received critical praise, it hasn’t garnered the large audience that other HBO favorites have. This could be due, at least partially, to HBO not promoting it as a premium program. While it is often considered a series for Gen Z, its writing and performances are on par with those of other prestige-labeled shows. Could HBO now market it, considering there are 16 episodes to catch up on, to attract older viewers looking for their Sunday night entertainment?

During our conversation, Myha’la shared her thoughts about the series script, saying “When I initially read this for Season 1, it reminded me of what could happen if Euphoria and Succession had a child.” She wanted to make clear that she was the one who made this comparison first. In essence, she described the show as a blend of sex, drugs, and money-filled worlds, which is a comparison she finds quite accurate.

In essence, characters like the powerful yet aged Logan Roy from Succession serve as role models for the younger and more diverse banking professionals featured in Industry. It’s both captivating and unsettling to witness these aspiring Roys navigating the initial stages of this ruthless profession. For now, they uphold the values of youth, although their actions may not always align with these principles. The third season delves into this internal conflict as it explores a storyline where the bank’s Sir Henry Muck (played by Kit Harington), a wealthy yet consistently underachieving character, is tasked with helping establish a green-energy company. The show shines a light on the hypocrisy prevalent in corporations that claim to support environmental initiatives but are quick to collaborate with oil companies when substantial profits are at stake.

As Industry expands its influence beyond the trading floor and into realms of power, encompassing government officials, media tycoons, and members of the British aristocracy, the implications transcend mere financial matters. We witness these ambitious figures potentially causing catastrophic harm to the world at large. According to Abela, who speaks about Yasmin and her peers, their previous concerns were centered on what others thought of them. However, they have since moved past that fear, and now face problems that are deeply existential in nature.

The television series, titled Industry, has evolved into a more focused production as it delves deeper into its extensive cast of characters in the banking world. In its initial season, the show introduced us to bankers from diverse backgrounds. We met Gus (David Jonsson), a Black gay Oxford graduate with an extensive network; Robert (Harry Lawtey), a white, middle-class character who leverages his good looks but struggles to adapt to the dress code of his affluent colleagues; Yasmin, a multilingual Lebanese-British heiress who may be charming but is inept at her job; and Harper, a Black American newcomer with no connections yet unwavering determination and flexible ethics. The series investigates the deeply rooted class system in England and racial tensions within a national bank by setting these characters on a common path and observing their ruthless tactics to secure the prize.

Review: Industry Season 3 Is a Searing Takedown of Socially Conscious Capitalism

In the captivating second and third seasons, I found myself drawn into the tumultuous friendship between Yasmin and Harper – two women who are as entwined as thorns on a rosebush. Harper’s infectious American drive clashes with Yasmin’s reliance on inherited privilege and wealth. As Yasmin grapples with professional insecurities, Harper’s extraordinary abilities in the workplace only serve to fan the flames of her discontent. Yet, despite their office sabotage, they manage to unwind together over a shared bottle of wine in their jointly inhabited flat.

According to Myha’la, what they like about each other is exactly what they dislike. Harper believes Yasmin has wealth and manipulates her charm, traits that Harper lacks. On the other hand, Yasmin sees Harper as intelligent but cunning, a quality that she finds hard to match. Abela chimes in: They communicate in different ways and are self-centered individuals who will never prioritize each other over themselves.

As someone who has navigated through my fair share of workplaces tainted by toxic behavior, I find the depiction of these two women intriguing. They are not portrayed as mere victims but rather individuals who manipulate the very same negative experiences to their advantage or, conversely, pass on the poisonous culture to those who follow in their footsteps. This series takes a unique approach by focusing on the insidious nature of toxicity within an institution rather than presenting a typical tale of overcoming adversity. I believe this perspective is crucial in shedding light on how such behavior can permeate and persist within organizations, making it essential for us to be aware and take action against these destructive patterns.

As the series progresses, Yasmin’s characters become more intricate as she becomes tougher and less willing to change for the better. Abela explains, “Yasmin still shows glimpses of her vulnerable self. However, she now wears a thicker shell, which is a consequence of operating in an industry that demands ruthlessness if you want to be taken seriously.”

The Stars of Industry on How It Became the Must-Watch Show of the Summer

Right from the start, both Myha’la and Abela played significant roles in molding their characters. Initially, Harper was portrayed as an anxious character. Myha’la mentioned that the showrunners were determined to incorporate as much of her personality as possible. This involved acknowledging their limitations: “They admitted, ‘We’re not Black American women. We can’t write your experience,'” she remembers. For Myha’la, if Harper is to be authentic, she would enter a situation where she’s trying to make a good impression and hiding her doubts about her abilities. This, to her, is essentially a lesson in “Black American 101.”

In a reserved manner, Harper concealed her feelings, which provided an opportunity for Myha’la, known for roles in “Industry,” “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” and “Leave the World Behind,” to display her acting skills. As she puts it, “Maintaining a strong facade gave me room to grow, and deciding when to show vulnerability was crucial.”

In Season 1, Yasmin was paired with Robert, a banker who came from humble beginnings, as her love interest. Originally, the character was intended to appear shy at work and derive pleasure from being dominated by Robert in intimate moments. However, this didn’t resonate well with Abela. “If she seems terrified on the trading floor, someone will guide her,” Abela explains. “However, it wouldn’t sit right for a clumsy man to control things in the bedroom. Instead, Yasmin should assert herself sexually.”

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that Yasmin’s prolonged dance with Robert, subtly blending seduction, wealth, and social status, has become one of the show’s defining moments. This intricate relationship provides a fascinating canvas for the writers to delve into the question of whether love can truly transcend class barriers in a nation where the chasm between old and new money is particularly profound. This theme takes center stage in the third season, as Henry, a character oozing with privilege, shows interest in Yasmin, adding an exciting twist to this ongoing narrative.

As a seasoned journalist with years of experience navigating the tumultuous waters of tabloid journalism and the lives of celebrities, I can attest that the stories of Harper and Yasmin are all too familiar. The complexities of familial relationships, especially those strained by betrayal and financial dependence, often make for compelling narratives in our industry.

In the meantime, Harper has set her sights on exacting revenge against a father-like figure, her ex-mentor Eric (portrayed brilliantly by Ken Leung). Eric had been preparing Harper to take his place. However, after betrayals from both sides, she faced potential danger of having to return to New York. There, a hidden secret looms, ready to disrupt her fresh start in London. Now that she’s regained her footing in a new role, Harper is consumed by the desire to bring him down. “Betrayal can be quite severe,” asserts Myha’la.

In the narrative of Succession’s Shiv Roy, there are recurring themes of a capable woman, who advocates liberal values but is deeply focused on appeasing her financially-driven father. Similar to Shiv, these women often make concessions in their pursuit of power. Unlike Shiv, however, Harper lacks any safety net and relies solely on accumulated wealth for security. For the first time, Yasmin finds herself exposed without her father’s presence, adding a fresh layer of dramatic tension to this season.

For finance drama enthusiasts like myself, the nitty-gritty financial aspects might seem a bit too salacious at times, but there’s a rich depth to be found in this gripping survival tale set within the world of high finance. This season, even for those who typically zone out when finance terms start flying around, there’s a thrilling whodunit element to keep you hooked. If this show manages to win over its audience fully, it will undoubtedly broaden its horizons in Season 4, promising to delve into the murky waters of Silicon Valley startups, a media empire reminiscent of Murdoch’s, and the ruthless billionaires that define America. As Abela puts it, “Where Season 3 concludes, it certainly wasn’t on Season 1 Yasmin’s vision board.”

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2024-08-07 23:07

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