The HBO series industry might sound tedious and depressing on paper.

It's a workplace drama about the cut-throat environment at a fictional investment bank

in London where employees cater to wealthy client egos and undermine one another.

Bosses are bad, drugs are plentiful, business-darkened is everywhere.

But even if you care little about the world of finance, the show still manages to be

riveting. And that's largely due to the central characters Eric and Harper, who are in a toxic,

mentor-menti relationship for the ages. I'm Ayesha Harris and today we're talking about

industry on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining me today is Brittany Loose, co-host of the For Colored Nerds Podcast. Hey Brittany,

hi, are you sure I'm happy to be here?

So industry is set in the world of Peer Point and Company, a fictional investment bank

headquartered in London. Season one focused on several recent graduates buying to land

full-time employment with the company. This included Harper, a young black American

woman with a mysterious background who's played by my Hala Harald.

Yasmin, a rich girl who's fluent in several languages and is played by Marisa Abella.

Robert, a working-class Oxford grad played by Harry Lottie and Gus, a black and gay friend

of Roberts from Oxford who's played by David Johnson. Ken Leung plays Eric, the cut-throat

managing director of the Salesforce. Eric takes Harper under his wing and they develop

a very messy workplace bond.

Industry is now in its second season and it finds Peer Point and its employees dealing

with the consequences of the pandemic. There are rumors of the London and New York sales

teams may be consolidated and Eric is on edge.

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