September 29th 2024.
The BBC's popular series Industry delved into the cut-throat world of banking, where working 100-hour weeks and pulling all-nighters was the norm. While this may sound daunting to most people, co-creator Mickey Down saw it as just another day in the life of a junior banker.
In an interview with The Agency, Mickey shared his experience of working in the finance industry before transitioning to screenwriting. He recalled the grueling first few weeks on the job, where his body struggled to adapt to the demanding schedule. However, he soon realized the resilience of the human body as it quickly adjusted to the intense workload.
Mickey worked at a top financial firm for one year before deciding it was time to move on. His friend and co-creator Konrad Kay lasted two years longer before joining Mickey in their pursuit of becoming screenwriters. Drawing from their real-life experiences, the duo created the critically acclaimed drama Industry, which follows the ambitious graduates at the fictional investment bank Pierpoint.
The show is a perfect blend of Succession and Euphoria, with its depiction of sex, drugs, and back-stabbing in the high-stakes world of finance. The upcoming season 3 will see the original group of graduates, now seasoned professionals, facing even bigger challenges as they strive for success.
But just how accurate is Industry? According to Mickey, the work hard, party harder culture is spot on. He remembered his time in banking as a constant cycle of going out, coming to work bleary-eyed, and partying like it was the 90s. While he admits this may still be the case, he believes the industry has changed since his time.
One particularly wild party stands out in Mickey's memory, where he ended up falling asleep at work the next day and waking up to find four colleagues staring at him. While there were no deaths at Mickey or Konrad's offices, they did hear about them anecdotally, adding to the intense and often toxic environment portrayed in the show.
For Konrad, who spent three years in the banking industry, the most striking aspect was the dysfunctional and toxic relationships between colleagues. He encountered some strange managers and a hazing culture that mimicked a frat house. But both creators note that some of their former colleagues are actually proud to see their experiences reflected in Industry's characters, even the most depraved ones.
Despite the show's dark portrayal of the finance world, it has not deterred aspiring bankers. Mickey still receives messages from traders on LinkedIn, crediting the show for inspiring their career choice. While both creators believe the industry has made some improvements, it still attracts the same type of money-hungry, A-type personalities who live recklessly.
And that is why Industry is such a compelling and successful TV show. Don't miss the new season starting on BBC One on Tuesday and available to stream on iPlayer. Have a story to share? Contact The Agency's entertainment team via email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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