Industry takes aim at the contentious issue of age verification in its latest season, sparking a heated debate that echoes the UK's recent legislative changes. The HBO series follows the story of Tender, a fintech company embroiled in the fight over whether to process payments for adult platforms like Siren, a OnlyFans-like site.
At the heart of this battle is the rapidly evolving landscape of age verification laws, with the UK's Online Safety Act requiring people to verify their ages before accessing restricted content. The law has had significant impacts on adult entertainment sites, such as Pornhub, which has seen its UK traffic drop by 80% since the regulations came into effect.
Industry creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down admit they didn't anticipate the issue would become so politicized, but their show's latest season has tapped into the growing controversy surrounding online age verification. "It was in the ether of British politics," says Kay, "but it wasn't front and center when we started writing the scripts or shooting it."
The show explores themes of empowerment and exploitation as junior banker Sweetpea Golightly navigates her role as an OnlyFans model without revealing her face. This nuanced portrayal acknowledges that modern online sex workers often get reduced to simplistic narratives.
Industry also shines a light on the darker aspects of wealth and power, where characters like publishing heiress Yasmin are torn between their desires for success and the consequences of their actions. The show's writers aim to satirize the allure of luxury while critiquing its potential pitfalls.
Creator Down notes that typically, early acts of finance hits – filled with sex, drugs, and money – only scratch the surface before hitting a reckoning moment where the true nature of the industry is exposed. In Industry's latest season, this reckoning is palpable, making for an entertaining yet thought-provoking viewing experience.
Industry's fourth season continues to expand its themes beyond finance into tech, politics, and online sex work, demonstrating its prescience in tackling pressing issues that resonate with contemporary concerns.
At the heart of this battle is the rapidly evolving landscape of age verification laws, with the UK's Online Safety Act requiring people to verify their ages before accessing restricted content. The law has had significant impacts on adult entertainment sites, such as Pornhub, which has seen its UK traffic drop by 80% since the regulations came into effect.
Industry creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down admit they didn't anticipate the issue would become so politicized, but their show's latest season has tapped into the growing controversy surrounding online age verification. "It was in the ether of British politics," says Kay, "but it wasn't front and center when we started writing the scripts or shooting it."
The show explores themes of empowerment and exploitation as junior banker Sweetpea Golightly navigates her role as an OnlyFans model without revealing her face. This nuanced portrayal acknowledges that modern online sex workers often get reduced to simplistic narratives.
Industry also shines a light on the darker aspects of wealth and power, where characters like publishing heiress Yasmin are torn between their desires for success and the consequences of their actions. The show's writers aim to satirize the allure of luxury while critiquing its potential pitfalls.
Creator Down notes that typically, early acts of finance hits – filled with sex, drugs, and money – only scratch the surface before hitting a reckoning moment where the true nature of the industry is exposed. In Industry's latest season, this reckoning is palpable, making for an entertaining yet thought-provoking viewing experience.
Industry's fourth season continues to expand its themes beyond finance into tech, politics, and online sex work, demonstrating its prescience in tackling pressing issues that resonate with contemporary concerns.