Why is there such a buzz about..?

Industry ( BBC iPlayer)

‘Melrose Place meets The Wolf Of Wall Street’ is how Lena Dunham describes this eight-episode HBOBBC drama which she executiveproduced. For British viewers, swap This Life for Melrose Place.

It follows a group of graduate recruits at the London office of Pierpoint, the world’s pre-eminent financial-services institution. They have a six-month probationary period, after which half of them will be let go. To prove themselves they work crazy hours in a toxic, macho, jargon-heavy environment where bullying and belittling are standard.

When Harper, the most central character (right, centre), has her first bit of business success, her mentor tells her: ‘You’re a world killer. Now I see you.’ And then he asks derisively: ‘Why is there a ring in your nose? Are you cattle?’

So the pressure is on, and the newbies relieve that pressure with drink, drugs and sex – a lot of sex, very explicitly depicted. Harper is a polarising figure who doesn’t always do what viewers expect, and is played by newcomer Myha’la

Herrold. Her audition was the US actress’s first stay in London and she seems set to be a star.

Pierpoint is a fictitious company but the show’s creators, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, both worked in the finance industry and the queasy drama – underlined by a great synth score – feels authentic.

Industry has become a hit thanks to word of mouth, and was renewed last week. Investing on the basis of a tip is a risky business but this show offers high yields on a short-term investment.