Kit Harington Drew Out the ‘Boris Johnson Element’ for His Industry Role

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for unraveling the intricate tapestries of human drama, I must say that Kit Harington‘s portrayal of Henry Muck in Industry is nothing short of masterful. The character, a privileged aristocrat with dreams of saving the world, mirrors the enigmatic charm of characters I’ve encountered in my own life – individuals who seem to skate through life on their wit and charisma alone.

In a more casual and readable rephrasing: Henry Muck, affectionately known as Prince Hal among his peers, could be considered Industry‘s portrayal of the epitome of a privileged layabout. Being a member of the British nobility, he’s a knight in real life, who believes that his green-energy company Lumi can change the world. He has successfully persuaded numerous investors and even the management at Pierpoint & Co., where the main characters are handling Lumi’s Initial Public Offering (IPO). However, there’s one catch: The company lacks the necessary foundations to thrive in the marketplace. During the first two episodes of the third season, Lumi struggles after going public, and Harry Lawtey’s Robert unsuccessfully attempts to manage Henry’s inflated ego. In the third episode, as all characters gather for a green-investing conference in Switzerland, one of Pierpoint’s analysts (portrayed by comedian Joel Kim Booster) criticizes Lumi. Despite this, there are some positive developments for Henry: He chooses to withdraw his investment and shifts his focus to Marisa Abela’s character, Yasmin. As Henry charms Yasmin in a scene reminiscent of Cruel Intentions, you can’t help but feel he’s equally despicable, self-deluded, yet unfortunately attractive and charismatic.

Kit Harington, known for his role as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, deliberately accentuated a characteristic in Henry Muck’s character that he found intriguing while working on the series. Being a fan of Industry during lockdown, Harington seized the opportunity to join the show and was captivated by how men like Henry glide through life with their charisma. In an interview before the season started, he highlighted Henry Muck’s Boris Johnson-like, smarmy charm. As he put it, “That’s how many public-school boys evade accountability. Because they’re witty.”

Were you well-acquainted with the Industry when you initially conversed with Konrad Kay and Mickey Down regarding Henry Muck? To be honest, I had caught a glimpse of it before and had become quite fond of it. With so much television now catering to an overly simplistic audience, it’s refreshing to find a series that trusts its viewers to appreciate nuance and subtext. While I may not fully grasp the banking aspects, the characters are captivating, and the acting is exceptional. Through the rumor mill, I had learned about a new season and some intriguing characters. Intrigued, I decided to explore it further, asked my agent for more information, and they connected me with the creators. Upon learning about Henry Muck, I felt confident that I could portray him convincingly as I felt I already knew who he was.

In terms of understanding Henry’s character, it was intriguing to me because, on the outside, he appears quite obnoxious and arrogant. However, I have encountered individuals similar to him, and there is an allure that they possess despite being unlikeable. This contradiction was captivating. Henry doesn’t view himself as a dishonest con-artist; instead, he believes in the value of his product, convinced that it could save the world and make money simultaneously. There’s also a tragic background to him, which I won’t reveal yet, but it adds to his complexity – he’s a complex character with a mix of charm, flaws, and sadness.

In my interpretation, Henry possesses a unique brand of posh wit, reminiscent of Boris Johnson in some ways, that becomes particularly noticeable when he’s trying to win someone over or make a sale. When developing the comedy for this show, I focused on capturing that charm, the artful self-deprecation, and the charisma with which he manages to endear himself to others, even in questionable situations. There’s an undercurrent of something unsettling about it, but without that charm, Henry wouldn’t have been believable. I certainly hope it comes across effectively!

Working with Harry Lawtey was fantastic as I’ve been a fan of his since I saw him in that role. He’s incredibly open and honest about the character he portrays. Harry and I developed a strong bond, more like brothers, which made it easier for us to play our characters effectively. Similarly, collaborating with Marisa Abela as Yasmin was equally enjoyable. Both actors brought unique dimensions to their roles, making our on-screen dynamic engaging and compelling.

In the series, some scenes involving Yasmin exploring Henry’s sexual boundaries, notably his fascination with water sports, can be quite intriguing. Performing these scenes can be an enigmatic experience because they often present a unique blend of humor, disgust, and an unusual form of romance or manipulation. The characters in this world seem to have the power to make us laugh, but upon reflection, we might question why we found their actions amusing. Henry frequently uses terms like ‘vulnerable’ and engages in therapy-like conversations that lead others into certain situations.

As a passionate cinephile, I collaborated closely with Laura Smith, our exceptional costume designer. I couldn’t help but admire the exquisite attire throughout the series. There were subtle nuances that added depth and intrigue, such as Henry’s choice of clothing for Winchester. Unlike an Eton boy, he wouldn’t intentionally wear mismatched socks – a detail that was delightful to share with viewers who might not have known about this specific school tradition. It was also a way for Henry to subtly welcome Yasmin into this peculiar world that she was just beginning to understand.

2024-08-27 20:54

Kit Harington Drew Out the ‘Boris Johnson Element’ for His Industry Role

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