Third Season of 'Industry' "is the increasingly rare television show that follows a weekly release schedule, and it's incredibly well suited for it"

         On August 11, 2024, HBO and Max premiered the third season of 'Industry', which has received predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the series, graduates compete for full-time employment at one of London's top investment banks. The ensemble cast includes Marisa Abela, Mark Dexter, Myha'la Herrold, Harry Lawtey, David Jonsson, and Kit Harrington. But what did the critics have to say?

       Meghan O'Keefe of Decider writes, "Industry Season 3 is a fabulous level up for an already great show. The impressive ensemble cast continues to excavate the beautiful, broken characters the play." Adding, "However, the two new characters who are apt to get the most attention are the aforementioned Sir Henry Muck and Sarah Goldberg’s Petra Koenig, an ice queen portfolio manager in Harper’s orbit. Kit Harington gets to shed the dour honor of Jon Snow for the oft unintentionally hilarious Henry Muck. His green energy company, Lumi, is a huge bet for Pierpoint, but it’s unclear if Muck, or the organization, has the goods to back up the risk. Petra, on the other hand, is skeptical of the green energy movement her company is dead set on investing in. Harper impresses her with her ruthless streak and inside intel on how Pierpoint works."

        Allison Picurro of TV Guide praises the series, stating, "Without spoiling too much (Industry is the increasingly rare television show that follows a weekly release schedule, and it's incredibly well suited for it), the Season 3 finale wraps things up so precisely and satisfyingly that it leaves you wondering whether co-creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay planned it as a series finale. A fourth season has not yet been confirmed, and while there's certainly enough story to leave the door open for more, it would be so fitting to get out right when the show (potentially) blows up. Maybe that would be the ultimate reward for those who were on the ground floor of the spectacular journey that is Industry."

        Abe Friedtanzer of Awards Buzz says, "Myha’la, Abela, and Lawtey offer even more depth in their exploration of their original characters, guiding a show that often seems like it lacks any moral compass with a vivid fidelity to stressful and satisfying storytelling."

       Sophia Ciminello of AwardsWatch notes, "Industry’s third season is bolder and even more lavish (complete with a Barry Lyndon reference), reflecting both the rise in the show’s critical acclaim and the characters’ salaries and responsibilities at their Pierpoint desks." Continuing, "One of those key partnerships is with Pierpoint’s new client, Henry Muck (Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington), and his green energy tech company/rich boy pet project, Lumi. Lumi aims to bring affordable energy to as many people as possible, so it’s a natural fit for Pierpoint’s new strategy. Robert is managing the firm’s relationship with Lumi, which is further complicated when Henry expresses interest in Yasmin. Robert, with his heart of gold and cocaine, is still in his Sunset Boulevard phase with Nicole (Sarah Parish) but continues to pine for Yasmin. The sometimes exhausting “will they/won’t they” dynamic that dominated the show’s first two seasons is even more discouraging this season, given one man has a salary and the other a net worth. Lawtey is perfectly vulnerable as Robert, convincing us he’s one of the only characters worth rooting for. Harington is a wise casting choice for Henry as he effortlessly channels the type of bravado only found in a gorgeous man who has no clue what he’s doing–a particular Cruel Intentions-inspired pool scene is naturally a highlight. His over-the-top aggression at the Lumi offices doesn’t feel much different than Jon Snow heading into battle in The North, though, and is less interesting than the scenes that expose his insecurities more subtly. With a kink straight out of an episode of Girls and a bottle of wine so expensive that it could be up for auction at Sotheby’s, Henry feels at times like a composite sketch of some of the world’s richest playboys and, at others, a less-realized take on Succession’s Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard)."

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash