Industry season 4 is coming – here’s everything you need to know to get caught up on the story so far

Over the past five years, BBC’s Industry has gained a cult TV following, giving us a glorified look at the world of gritty grind culture within Pierpoint, a fictional investment bank. Written, created and produced by ex-bankers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, we’ve been gripped by the authentic portrayal of those champagne and substance-fuelled finance bros. 

Pierpoint, frankly, is a place where integrity goes to die, so when season four finally arrives on 12 January, please do not try to contact us as your email will not find us well.

After season three’s twisted, whiplash-inducing finale, we’ve barely picked our jaws off the floor. And while we don’t know how season four will unfold, if the trailer’s anything to go by, there’ll be more scandals, sex and societal rot. Thankfully, Marisa Abela, Myha’la and Ken Leung are amongst the OGs who’ll be returning, alongside an array of fresh faces.

Plus, it looks like the characters’ reckless hedonism will extend beyond the trading floor, after season three saw the bittersweet collapse of Pierpoint and our morally ambiguous bankers are now scattered in the wind, yet still chasing success and stability, which increasingly appear to be mutually exclusive.

Now, we see Yasmine embrace socialite duties, while Eric has become a retired family man. Gasp. Yet, the one thread binding these characters is a collective feeling of deep loneliness.

This season promises to convey the pain of those seemingly soulless characters, with deeper, more intricate storytelling and higher stakes. Revolving around a payment provider, Tender, which is on the verge of becoming a bank, new power-hungry characters are introduced. As Yaz (unsuccessfully) embraces domesticity, Harper is now working at Otto Mostyn’s fund and becomes engrossed by the volatile CFO and founder of Tender and its shady dealings, Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella). Another American in search of a personal rebrand, Whitney proves to be a formidable force and, alongside Harper, a fellow disrupter of the status quo, igniting a deliciously intense battle of the egos. And if greed is a sin, will the Industry bankers need to repent?

Robert Spearing (played by Harry Lawtey)

Season three saw the departure of cheeky chappy Robert, whose boyish bravado meant he ended up either sleeping with clients, sleeping with his colleagues (who could forget that near threesome with Yas and Harper) or buying motorbikes on a whim.

We watched as the coked-up scoundrel returned to his working-class roots, questioning everything he thought he knew. While the first episode saw Eric chanting the mantra ‘I am a man, and I am relentless’, Rob turned out to be a stimulating study in toxic masculinity.

Yasmine Kara-Hanani (played by Marisa Abela)

Marisa Abela, who won a Bafta for her portrayal of Yasmin, will return to play our favourite hyper-wealthy nepo baby with daddy issues. Yas has ditched finance altogether to aimlessly drift among the upper echelons of the elite, marrying tech founder Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harrington). Despite earning a title, an estate and more money, Yas’s life continues to unravel, and so does her relationship, having hit rock bottom in season three.

Questioning her purpose and identity, Yas, who once exploited her sexuality in a male-dominated field to assert authority, is unrecognisable. We even see her dressed as Marie Antoinette for Henry’s 40th birthday. Let them eat cake… or perhaps just chain-smoke and make money.

Harper Stern (played by Myha’la)

Yasmine and Harper, our favourite trauma-bonded frenemies, seem to have adopted a practical tolerance of each other in this upcoming series.

Emotionally detached with a constant desire for control (stemming from her unstable childhood), Harper is now feeling micromanaged and underestimated. Jaw permanently twitching, either drug-induced or chewing gum, Harper’s tumultuous relationship with Eric continues to appear co-dependent and weirdly intense.

Eric Tao (played by Ken Leung)

The season four trailer opens with Eric saying, “We might be standing on the verge of something great. But the work is ugly.” The alpha personality with a monastic dedication to finance is dealing with the breakdown of his marriage and his career at Pierpoint. Rough. Now, Eric is retired, with millions in the bank, a young girlfriend (slightly cliché) and an uncharacteristic amount of spare time to bond with his daughters. Surprisingly, he’s still not fulfilled.

Rishi Ramdani (played by Sagar Radia)

After the explosive ending in season three, Pierpoint’s puppet, Rishi, has had his illusions shattered and is left to face up to the death of his wife, debts and denial of his sins. His survivor mentality destroyed and now haunted by guilt, we’ll see the psychological fallout. Finally, a glimpse of humanity and depth from the OG comic relief character that once oozed untouchable flounce.

Sweetpea Golightly (played by Miriam Petche)

Series three newcomer Sweetpea was once a self-assured part-time influencer exuding post-grad ambition. Now, it seems she will be battling with self-doubt as she attempts to reclaim her identity. Rumour has it, Sweetpea’s past begins to creep up on her, leaving her fragile and exposed, but making for a meaty storyline. The parallel between Sweetpea and younger Yas is uncanny.

A few names among the array of Industry newcomers include Kiernan Shipka (Twisters), Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) and Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso), but only time will tell what kind of complications they’ll find themselves mixed up in.

Industry season four will premiere on BBC on 12 January.

Images: BBC