‘Halberstram was a shadow man who built a shadow world…’
Industry is one of those shows that people become evangelical about. It’s still in that sweetspot of being one of the best shows on television right now but also one of the most underseen. Season three was a revelation, the best season yet, and while this fourth season doesn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of what came before it, it’s still top notch television…
We begin with Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Sir Henry (Kit Harrington) trying to pretend that everything is fine in their relationship despite the creeping malignancy of Henry’s various addictions. Elsewhere, Harper (Myha’la) and Eric (Ken Leung) begin a new endeavour along with Sweetpea (Miriam Petche), against the backdrop of political upheaval and Russian influence. Joining the already stacked cast are: Claire Forlani, Max Minghella, Kiernan Shipka, Kal Penn and Charlie Heaton.
By hoovering up some of the cream of the TV crop (the new cast members include alumni from The Handmaid’s Tale, Stranger Things and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Industry has cemented its reputation as probably the most vital show on television right now. This is further emphasised by the fact that the high points in this fourth season are as high as this show has ever reached. ‘The Commander and the Grey Lady‘, the second episode here, is one of the most vital hours of television you’ll see all year and the final two episodes are almost unbearably tense (although the final instalment does go on a little too long).
This latest season of Industry reckons with the Epstein scandal, the inadequacies of a Labour government and the insidious influence of Russian power in a way that feels utterly prescient without ever threatening to become didactic or preachy. It’s a difficult line to walk but co-creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay once again find a perfect balance here. It’s compelling stuff.
Put simply, Industry continues to go from strength to strength. One day, the world at large will realise just good this show is.
