Industry on BBC iPlayer: The Financial Thriller That Hooks Non-TV Viewers
I typically avoid television series like the plague. While I'll happily settle in for a film, countless acclaimed shows have completely passed me by over the years. Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos—I've heard the endless chatter and cultural references but never felt compelled to invest the time. For a series to truly capture my attention, it requires something genuinely special.
A Weekly Appointment with Gripping Drama
However, there is one notable exception currently streaming on BBC iPlayer. A new episode drops every Monday, and it has me completely and utterly glued to the screen. That programme is Industry, and if you haven't experienced it yet, I urge you to start catching up immediately.
Now in its fourth series, Industry follows the turbulent lives of young graduate financiers at Pierpoint, a prestigious firm based in London. On paper, the world of high finance might not sound like the most thrilling setting, but each episode is masterfully crammed with intense drama, shocking betrayal, and edge-of-your-seat tension. It leaves viewers constantly questioning how closely this fiction mirrors the brutal reality of the financial world.
Authenticity Born from Real Experience
The show's gripping authenticity is no accident. Industry was created by former investment bankers Konrad Kay and Mickey Down. While not directly based on specific true events, the series draws heavily from their real professional experiences, lending a palpable credibility to every boardroom showdown and personal compromise.
The ensemble cast features incredibly flawed characters you can't help but root for, even as they make terrible decisions.
- Harper Stern (Myha'la) is an exceptionally intelligent yet under-qualified graduate prepared to do absolutely anything to succeed. Her choices, both professional and personal, are consistently dubious.
- Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela) is Harper's ultra-wealthy 'nepo baby' frenemy, a character who appears to have it all but hides deeply troubled personal life and shocking family secrets.
- Supporting roles like Eric Tao (Ken Leung), Harper's morally compromised boss, and Robert Spearing (Harry Lawtey), a working-class graduate trying to escape his past, add rich layers to the narrative.
Why This Show Stands Out
The initial seasons focus intensely on the graduate experience within Pierpoint's walls. As the story develops, fresh narratives emerge as characters form new alliances and venture beyond the firm. One of the most compelling aspects is how distinctly and authentically flawed every single character proves to be. Just as you begin to warm to someone, they commit an act so outrageous it resets your opinion entirely—a dynamic that makes for absolutely gripping television.
Furthermore, you need zero financial expertise to enjoy this drama. While the banking jargon is present, it serves as authentic backdrop rather than a barrier. If anything, the show sparks curiosity about what truly happens inside those towering Canary Wharf offices. Understanding the intricacies of a 'short' is irrelevant to the human drama unfolding.
The Perfect Binge-Watch Format
For fans of shows like Skins or Succession, Industry offers a similarly sharp and addictive watch. With episodes running roughly an hour and just eight per series, it's a perfectly digestible commitment. This manageable format is a welcome contrast to the daunting time investment required by epic series like Game of Thrones.
Every Monday, when a new episode lands on iPlayer, I find myself genuinely excited to settle down after dinner and dive back into this world. It's the one television appointment I refuse to miss. Give Industry a chance, and you may just find yourself similarly hooked.
