Viewers of banking drama Industry were left reeling at the ‘realistic’ depiction of the finance industry in last night’s premiere episode that featured sex in public, drug-fuelled nights out and a character who worked himself to death.
The show, which is airing on HBO in the US and BBC Two in the UK, follows a group of ambitious graduates as they compete for a limited number of positions at Pierpoint & Co, a fictional London bank.
In a bombshell twist, one of the group, Hari (Nabhaan Rizwan) was found collapsed in a bathroom cubicle after a gruelling work schedule that saw him sleep at work and leave the office just once in 48 hours.
He kept himself awake by taking Modafinil, a drug used to treat narcolepsy that is touted as a so-called ‘smart drug’ that can help brain performance.
The storyline echoes the real-life tragedy of Moritz Erhardt, a 21-year-old intern at Bank of America Merrill Lynch who was found dead in the shower at his east London flat in 2013.
Bombshell twist: One of the group, Hari (Nabhaan Rizwan) was found collapsed in a bathroom cubicle after a gruelling work schedule that saw him sleep at work and leave the office just once in 48 hours. Pictured, Hari curled up on the bathroom floor in the office
Sex in a bathroom: Meanwhile Robert (Harry Lawtey) gets caught up in the hedonistic side of the job and finds himself struggling to stay awake after pulling an all-nighter during which he took ketamine on the dancefloor and had sex in a club toilet (pictured)
Living the high life: A scene from the trailer showing the bankers celebrating in a club
Struck a chord: Viewers commented how the depiction was reminiscent of the situations they had come across while working in the City in real life
Mr Erhardt, who was just days away from completing his coveted placement, had an epileptic seizure after working for 72 hours straight, although a coroner was unable to rule whether exhaustion had triggered the seizure.
While viewers were left shocked by Hari’s death, some who claimed to have first-hand knowledge of the sector said the drama reflected the characters and pressures of a real-life workplace in the City.
One tweeted: ‘Had it on a delay but I liked #Industry, some very recognisable characters from the milk round. Not sure which bit I liked best though….’
Another posted: ‘I worked in the city for 12 months and those that I worked with were no different to what I saw in #industry. Truly revolting people.’
A third wrote: ‘Whilst it’s not really like my training contract at all, there are characters and scenes in #industry that are close enough to cause a tightening in my stomach and a surge of anxiety.’
The show is penned by British writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, who have firsthand knowledge of the world of international finance.
True to life: While viewers were left shocked by Hari’s death, some who claimed to have first-hand knowledge of the sector said the drama reflected the characters and pressures of a real-life workplace in the City. The writers have firsthand knowledge of the sector
Seen through the eyes of an American outsider Harper Stern (Myha’la Herrold), Industry reveals the lengths young professionals will go to secure their dream job.
Hari is one of the few graduates who went to a state school and makes it clear from the start that he is willing to work long days to set himself apart from his private school peers.
‘I’m logging those nocturnal hours, trying to make a good impression,’ he tells Harper after three weeks at the company.
To another graduate, Gus (David Jonsson) leaving the office shortly after 10pm, he says: ‘No one here is going to tell you this, but you need to put in face time,’ to which Gus replies: ‘No I don’t. Staying up all night isn’t going to enhance my work.’
Hari stays at the office long after his colleagues have left, washing down mystery pills with cans of Red Bull. When tiredness eventually overcomes him, he crawls onto the floor of a bathroom cubicle, rolls up his trousers for a pillow, and falls asleep.
On edge: Hari is one of the few graduates who went to a state school and makes it clear from the start that he is willing to work long days to set himself apart from his private school peers
Stimulants: Hari stays at the office long after his colleagues have left, washing down mystery pills with cans of Red Bull
Exhausted: When tiredness eventually overcomes him (pictured), he crawls onto the floor of a bathroom cubicle, rolls up his trousers for a pillow, and falls asleep
Quick turnaround: After sleeping in the toilet, Hari changes his shirt in the cubicle and applies concealer under his eyes to hide his exhaustion
When his superior is made aware he has only left the building once in 48 hours – the electronic key card raises this automatically as a ‘red flag’ – he is ordered to go home but goes to the pub instead.
He briefly heads home before returning to the office a short while later, taking what appears to be Modafinil en route.
It is is reminiscent of the notorious ‘magic roundabout’, where graduates leave a bank in the early hours, take a taxi home, change, shower, then return to work.
His boss later tells him ‘not to stay up all night’ but to find some way to ensure he meets a 6am deadline. Hari proceeds to stay in the office to complete the task.
Moments before the document is due, and after realising he has made a mistake, Hari seeks refuge in a toilet cubicle, where he dies.
Pressure: His boss later tells him ‘not to stay up all night’ but to find some way to ensure he meets a 6am deadline. Hari proceeds to stay in the office to complete the task
Collapses: Moments before the document is due, and after realising he has made a mistake, Hari seeks refuge in a toilet cubicle, where he dies
Discovered: He is found by another intern and the group is ordered not to discuss the death with the press or ‘anyone outside the office’
It is unclear whether the death was caused by the excessive amount of energy drinks he was taking, medication, stimulants, stress, or some other factor.
He is found by another intern and the group is ordered not to discuss the death with the press or ‘anyone outside the office’.
Elsewhere it is revealed Harper needs to forge her college transcript, but proves herself by securing a new client. However she faces a dilemma after the client touches her inappropriately in the back of a taxi on her way home.
Meanwhile Robert (Harry Lawtey) gets caught up in the hedonistic side of the job and finds himself struggling to stay awake after pulling an all-nighter during which he took ketamine on the dancefloor and had sex in a club toilet.
The series also touches on the divide between graduates who attended private school, and those who attended state school.
Newcomer: Seen through the eyes of an American outsider, Harper Stern (Myha’la Herrold), pictured, who has travelled from upstate New York for the scheme, Industry reveals the lengths talented young professionals will go to secure their dream job
Celebration: Harper checks herself into a hotel to celebrate a client victory
Stars: Actors Harry Lawtey, Myha’la Herrold, Marisa Abela, David Jonsson and Nabhaan Rizwan star in Industry. Rizwan’s character died in the episode one twist