'Industry' actor Harry Lawtey reveals 'lots of controversy' is what awaits Harper, Gus, Yasmin and Robert
Actor Harry Lawtey plays the role of Robert Spearing in the brand new HBO show 'Industry'. Robert is a young executive who is new to London's famous investment banking firm Pierpoint. He is a young university graduate who has just taken up an internship at the firm. Lawtey said, "He’s very brash, confident, and charismatic and he certainly leads with his heart rather than his head, which can get him into trouble. But he trusts it because it’s got him this far. Robert comes from quite a tough, working-class background which means that his journey to the bank wasn’t easy." So far, it was indicated that Robert believes in meritocracy and turns out, all new employees do too as we saw in the premiere episode.
Lawtey explained, "I think almost all the graduates believe that this is a democratic workplace where they will be judged on results alone. They realize quickly enough that this isn’t true! There are all sorts of other factors and prejudices at play and that’s something the show really explores." Despite this, what really pushes Robert to stay at Pierpoint is that, the actor explains, "Robert wants to make something of himself — he’s an aspirational social climber. To an extent, he resents who he is and he is pushing to be something more. Something equal to the rest. Something better. In his eyes at least."
Robert has made a few friends in the company and that includes Yasmin and Harper, while he rooms with Gus. So speaking of his character's dynamics with the other characters in the show, the actor said, "Robert is a people person. He is almost too engaged in his social life, that he suffers for it in his career. He has worked so hard to even reach this point, that now he wants to celebrate before he’s even crossed the finish line. He doesn’t understand that these new friends he’s made are also his rivals." He also revealed what awaits the characters in the future without giving any spoilers and said, "lots of controversy! We’ve got some real twists and turns as a group. It’s an interesting dynamic that grows throughout the show. I wouldn’t want to say anymore!"
So what is it about Pierpoint that has got all these young people to put up with toxic work culture and the harsh environment? Lawtey explained, "All sorts I think. Each person has a slightly different reason for being there. A slightly different reason for going to work every day. It could be money, power, respect, expectation, duty — or all of the above." Speaking about what was attractive about the firm, we also asked Lawtey what he found attractive about the show itself and he revealed, "the tone of the show immediately jumped off the page when I first read it. It has a lot of edge, but real wit and intelligence too. I hadn’t seen anything out there quite like it. It seemed like there was a little buzz around the show during the casting process, with lots of actors going in for it. So, of course, I was desperate to be involved. To be here now talking about it almost two years later is surreal." He added about the show and said that the fans can expect, "something new and fresh. It’s got really novel perspectives on some big ideas in our culture. I think people from all walks of life will be able to connect with it."
So will we have another season of 'Industry' to look forward to? The actor responds, "That’s out of my hands, I’m afraid. But we certainly hope so. I think we’ve got a lot more story to tell."
New episodes of 'Industry' will air every Monday at 10 pm ET on HBO.