The fourth season of Industry reaffirms the show’s status as one of the best dramas currently airing, delivering a terrific use of a strong ensemble and dark, bold storytelling. While the overall journey may be at times somewhat draining, Season 4 still manages to shine thanks to terrific acting work under the sharp pen and direction of showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

 Season 4 centers on fictional payment processing firm Tender, which has emerged as a major new player in the fintech sector, backed by Yasmin and Henry. Their support puts them at odds with Eric and Harper, who are suspicious of the company’s rapid rise. The resulting conflict drives much of the season’s narrative and marks a significant shift from earlier seasons defined by the trading floor at investment bank Pierpoint.

While such a drastic shift in setting and focus might prove to be a death blow for lesser shows, Industry thrives in such reinvention thanks to the vision of Down and Kay expand their lens, continuing to explore finance, power, politics, sex and class on a larger canvas. Harper and Yasmin have evolved from entry-level workers on the investment floor into power players of their own right. This allows the show to explore its key themes from a more elevated vantage point, offering up cutting commentary on everything from the rightward shift in contemporary culture and politics to the growth mindset present in today’s hypercapitalistic society, as well as class differences and dynamics, which continue to persist in Britain. Season 4 also proves unafraid to challenge the conceptions of what an episode of the show looks like, with season highlights Episodes 2 and 5 departing from the show’s typical conventions.

With a new setting comes several new additions to the cast, most of whom make strong impressions. Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) plays journalist James Dycker with convincing urgency, while Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso) brings a different edge to Kwabena Bannerman, a trader who becomes involved with Harper. Perhaps the best addition to the cast would have to be Kiernan Shipka as Whitney, assistant to shadowy Tender CFO and co-founder Whitney Halberstram, played by Max Minghella. Shipka’s role is perhaps a watershed moment for the former child actress given its adult nature, but it is one which she more than rises to the occasion for. In her hands Haley becomes endlessly fascinating and leaves a strong impression despite her limited screentime, with Shipka balancing the character’s initial naivete and appearance of innocence with a cunning and manipulative side that comes to the fore deliciously as the season goes on. 

Whitney, however, is a more polarizing figure. At times, he feels less like a fully realized character and more like a vehicle for the show’s ideas about capitalism and greed. The character is, of course, intentionally designed this way, but it is still frustrating to engage with Whitney as a character when he is constantly in facade mode and talks in stilted and constructed corporate speak consistently. While there is eventually some depth that emerges as the season progresses, the character ultimately never comes into focus, which is a shame, as a significant chunk of the season and main plot is spent with him.

These new additions bolster an already impressive returning cast, remaining a major strength of the show. Sagar Radia does terrifically well in conveying Rishi’s broken nature, while Miriam Petche delivers some truly powerful work as Sweetpea, balancing toughness with a deeply moving vulnerability. Ken Leung also offers up superb work this season with the show diving deeper into the pseudo father-daughter bond between his character and Harper, which he mines to devastating emotional effect. Leung balances Eric’s trademark ferocious and determined side with a newfound emotional vulnerability. Kit Harington delivers career-best work as Henry, particularly in Episode 2, where he conveys the character’s deteriorating mental state with striking pathos.

At it’s core, however, Industry  is about the beautiful and complex relationship between Harper and Yasmin, brought to life by stars and co-leads Myha’la and Marisa Abela. Myha’la once again excels, portraying Harper as fiercely driven while also revealing her loneliness and need for connection. Myha’la fully embodies Harper’s tough exterior so well that when the cracks in her facade do appear and the character’s vulnerability and desire for connection and love come through, the emotional effect is strikingly powerful. Abela, fresh off her BAFTA win, shines throughout this season in bringing Yasmin’s devastatingly dark arc to life. She effortlessly embodies the character’s volatility as she switches from vulnerability to viciousness at the drop of a hat. Yasmin’s cluelessness allows Abela to show a more humorous side, but it is her devastating emotional work and her ability to convey so much through various microexpressions that mark out her performance as something truly special. 

Season 4 ultimately succeeds as a bold reinvention, strengthening an already impressive ensemble with a host of compelling new characters. Anchored by standout performances from Myha’la, Abela, Harington, Leung and Petche, and supported by Shipka’s memorable turn, the season delivers emotionally intense and dark storytelling that rarely pulls its punches.

8.5/10