The writers behind the hit drama series “Industry” take care to thoughtfully develop even the most polarizing characters. Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, who created the show after careers in finance, want viewers to empathize with the ambitious young bankers despite their flaws.
In a recent interview, Down and Kay said they focus on lower-level characters to explore workplace obstacles. This allows them to show how factors like background, race, and gender impact people’s careers. The ambitious but difficult character Harper, played by Myha’la, pushes boundaries in her drive for success. Some see her as “awful” or “selfish,” but the creators said they write her with “love and understanding” as a black woman who overcame disadvantages.
Down said of Harper, “We write her as a ridiculously ambitious young woman who will do everything to achieve her goals – and that is thrilling.” They apply the same empathy to other main characters like Yasmin and Robert, portraying young professionals realistically, flaws and all.
The show’s third season continues to attract critical praise for its unflinching depiction of moral compromises in banking. Down and Kay’s own finance experience lends authenticity, crafting compelling storylines familiar to that world. Their “deliberate” empathy challenges viewers to understand characters facing difficult decisions. By exploring ambitions and challenges in high finance, “Industry” offers a thoughtful look at its human costs.
