The industry is making a strong return with the Season 3 premiere of “Il Mattino ha L’Oro Bocca,” which aired this past Sunday. This season aims to take over the popular Sunday night time slot previously held by “House of the Dragon.”
By introducing notable actors like Kit Harington and Sarah Goldberg, the show hopes to attract a larger audience to one of HBO’s most underappreciated dramas. This move also brings more attention to Ken Leung, who portrays Eric Tao, a seasoned CPS director surrounded by much younger traders at Pierpoint.
In Season 1, Eric was mainly a peripheral character, serving as Harper’s (Myha’la) unpredictable mentor. His role was not central, and his character did not get much screen time. However, in Season 2, Eric became more prominent.
We go into his private life and his role at Pierpoint, revealing more about his background and personal struggles. The first episode of Season 3 suggests that Eric will continue to play a significant role, with even more focus on his character development.
Gus (David Jonsson), one of the key figures since Season 1, does not appear in this episode and will not be returning for this season. This absence creates space for Eric’s character to evolve further. With his recent promotion to partner and a separation from his wife, Eric seems to be spiraling into a midlife crisis.
In ‘Industry’ Season 3, Eric Finally Gets a Larger Role
This development promises more interesting and intense moments from Leung as Eric takes on a bigger role in the new season.
The first episode of Season 3 shows that Eric has experienced major life changes. After orchestrating Harper’s firing in the Season 2 finale, Eric received a significant promotion. However, this career advancement came with personal costs, including his separation from his wife.
Additionally, Eric has begun to indulge in activities he previously avoided, such as drug use. With Harper out of the picture, Eric no longer has to deal with her challenges but must now shift his focus to Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Robert (Harry Lawtey).
While Eric’s interactions with Yasmin and Robert were minimal in the earlier seasons, their scenes in the new episode suggest that he will be a crucial figure in their development. Eric’s late-night conversation with Yasmin, fueled by cocaine, reveals a more humorous and empathetic side of him.
This contrasts sharply with his intense and uncompromising demeanor on the trading floor. He has already taken decisive action by firing Kenny (Conor MacNeill), showing that he is prepared to make tough decisions to protect his new team.
One of the most notable scenes from the Season 3 premiere is Eric’s “pep talk” with Robert. After Robert breaks down in tears on the trading floor following a personal tragedy, Eric intervenes.
Robert, having woken up next to Nicole (Sarah Parish), who has passed away, arrives at work visibly shaken and struggling to keep himself together.
Yasmin tries to comfort him over the phone but fails, and no one knows how to handle his breakdown. Eric pulls Robert aside for a private conversation and insists that he repeat, “I am a man, and I am relentless,” loudly. This approach is harsh, especially given Robert’s recent trauma, but it also serves as a strange form of encouragement.
Eric’s tough love reflects his own struggles with masculinity and his desire to instill resilience in his team. Despite considering Robert’s breakdown as a potential reason to fire him, Eric chooses to use this moment to motivate Robert and push him towards action.
This dynamic mirrors the relationship Eric had with Harper, and it highlights Eric’s role as a mentor figure. Yasmin and Robert, both lacking strong father figures in their lives, find Eric’s influence significant, though he also uses this to assert control over them.
Eric’s character evolution in Season 3 reflects the ongoing issues at Pierpoint. In Season 1, Eric represented the toxic culture that characters like Daria (Freya Mavor) and Sara (Priyanga Burford) were trying to change. Season 2 gave more depth to his character, showing his dedication to the company and the personal sacrifices he made, including dealing with a racist boss who was once his mentor.
Many of the employees Eric now oversees are much younger and unfamiliar with the company’s history, making him an important link between Pierpoint’s past and present. He is known for his intimidating presence, bluntness, and high standards, which he expects his employees to meet but not exceed, as was the case with Harper.
Eric’s evolution also underscores the cyclical nature of Pierpoint’s toxic culture. Despite his tough exterior, he commands respect and is seen as a significant figure on the trading floor.
Eric initially saw potential in Harper, but by Season 2, she had become a figure who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, even at his expense. Eric’s exposure of Harper’s secret—her forged college degree—was partly to protect her and partly to prevent her from surpassing him.
His recent promotion, drug use, and personal struggles are pushing him towards a dangerous path, highlighting the ongoing challenges he faces.
Ken Leung’s performance in “Industry” continues to stand out. In a series filled with strong and nuanced performances, Leung consistently steals the scene. Eric embodies the chaotic energy of Pierpoint, and Leung’s portrayal of Eric’s confrontations with employees provides some of the most intense moments on the trading floor.
Even in his more friendly moments, Eric is someone you wouldn’t want to cross, and the baseball bat he keeps at the office serves as a symbol of both his aggression and insecurity. Despite his tough exterior, Leung allows moments of kindness, vulnerability, and playfulness to shine through, especially in his interactions with his daughters.
Leung’s portrayal of Eric is a testament to his talent and contributes significantly to the show’s appeal. Although Harper’s absence in Season 3 means less interaction between Leung and Myha’la, their chemistry was a major highlight in the previous seasons.
Leung’s new scenes with Abela and Lawtey promise to continue this engaging dynamic. “Industry” remains a hidden gem among HBO dramas, and with its new time slot, it may finally gain the viewership and recognition it deserves.
“Industry” is available for streaming on Max in the U.S., with new episodes airing every Sunday.
