Kit Harrington Acts Like a Spoiled Brat

Warning: Spoilers for Season 3 of Industry.

Kit Harington, known for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, is now portraying Sir Henry Muck on HBO’s high-octane finance drama Industry. This new role opens doors for Sir Henry that his character in ‘Thrones never could. Despite some disastrous events during his company’s IPO launch, Sir Henry remains at the helm of his green-tech energy company, Lumi.

Picking up from the explosive premiere, Industry‘s third season shows no signs of slowing down. Sir Henry’s facade of doing good is already wearing thin with his colleagues. “You’re just like every other overqualified, underdeveloped, parentally backstopped child. Your wins are yours, and your losses? Well, they’re someone else’s problem,” says Robert Spearing (Harry Lawtey).

Working at Pierpoint, an investment bank, Robert is fed up with Sir Henry’s antics. Eric Tao’s (Ken Leung) motivational speech has had a lasting impact on him. Sir Henry’s refusal to heed advice leads to a physical altercation with Robert in the office.

The panic triggered by an electrical outage during Lumi’s stock trading is brushed off as a “slight technical problem.” This issue, whether coincidental or not, presents a negative image for the green-energy tech firm. The Pierpoint traders must spin the story to Lumi’s advantage despite the pressure and stress.

In “Smoke and Mirrors,” phrases like “perception is reality” and “fake it until you make it” are prevalent. A single rumor can make or break a business. Sir Henry wants to prove he can build something from scratch, even if success was preordained. His hubris is evident when he thinks he can charm reporters from “friendly” newspapers, but his attempt backfires spectacularly.

Without a clear strategy, Sir Henry’s missteps are evident when he believes “friendly” journalists like Jonno from The Financial Times and Ed Cumming from The Telegraph will buy into his charm. This interaction turns disastrous as Robert frantically tries to end the call, and Jonno gets the scoop of the day.

Terms like “close above 40” and “trading down at 400” may be confusing, but the panic at Pierpoint is palpable. The frenetic dialogue adds to the chaos, especially with Rishi Ramdani’s (Sagar Radia) colorful language. While Sir Henry attempts to talk his way out of disaster, external factors like the Bank of England’s decision to freeze interest rates help stabilize the stock.

As Lumi’s stock fluctuates wildly, the traders barely get to celebrate small victories before the next crisis hits. Robert “beats” Sir Henry in a ball pit scuffle with a sunflower plushie, a farcical moment that remains thankfully undocumented.

Bill Adler questions twice, “Why does the CEO keep making himself the story?” This rhetorical question points to Sir Henry’s inability to self-reflect. However, Harington adds depth to Sir Henry, even as he flees from a board meeting and locks himself in a bathroom after taking medicinal psilocybin.

Harington’s role in Game of Thrones highlighted his physical strength, but in Industry, his comedic timing shines. Nearly a decade after his comedic turn in 7 Days in Hell with Andy Samberg, Harington’s performance as Sir Henry showcases his range, balancing humor with seriousness.

Overall, Harington gives Sir Henry dimensions beyond the typical aristocrat stereotype. The complexities of Sir Henry’s character become especially evident in his struggles to manage his image and relationships, whether facing backlash from investors or receiving constant notifications from concerned friends and family.

Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela) uses her notoriety wisely to influence Lumi’s stock. After being pursued by paparazzi as the “Embezzler Heiress,” she flips the narrative to benefit Pierpoint. Despite her hangover, Yasmin proves her resilience and resourcefulness.

Yasmin further exerts her power when she reveals Sir Henry’s private kink in a restaurant, asserting her dominance over him. Her moves are calculated, highlighting the intricate relationships within the company.

With the third season incorporating more media influence, characters like Anna Gearing (Elena Saurel) add comedic moments with their straightforward delivery. Anna’s stress and Petra Koenig’s (Sarah Goldberg) cold demeanor contrast sharply, with Petra focused on business rather than friendships.

While Yas gets entangled with co-workers and clients, Harper finds someone uninterested in the usual BS, hinting at the lessons Sir Henry still needs to learn. Although the launch is deemed a success, it barely masks the deeper issues at Lumi and Pierpoint.

Read more at The Daily Beast.