Konrad Kay and Mickey Down, the co-creators of HBO’s hit series Industry, have a unique origin story that led them to the world of television. Their journey began at Oxford University in 2007, where they met and bonded over a shared love of films. Despite attending a prestigious university, they admitted to not doing much work and instead spent their time watching movies, which ultimately helped shape their creative partnership.
After graduation, both Kay and Down ventured into the world of finance. However, Kay’s unexpected departure from his job at Morgan Stanley in 2013 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Down had already left finance to work at a talent agency and had even made a short film that caught the attention of NBC, earning him an agent. It was at this point that Down suggested they collaborate on writing, leading to their first attempt at a banking drama.
Their collaboration continued with the creation of the feature film Gregor in 2014, which they funded through a Kickstarter campaign. The film garnered attention at UK festivals and opened doors for them to secure small television gigs. Their big break came when they were hired by TV production company Bad Wolf to write a movie, which eventually led to the development of Industry.
Jane Tranter, CEO and co-founder of Bad Wolf, encouraged them to approach the banking industry from a fresh perspective, focusing on the experiences of first-year graduates. This unique approach resonated with HBO, leading to a two-script deal for Industry in 2016. Over the next few years, Kay and Down worked tirelessly to develop the series, which finally premiered in 2020 to critical acclaim.
Despite their success, Kay and Down acknowledge the challenges they faced as inexperienced showrunners. They admit to being underqualified during the first season of Industry but believe that it added an interesting dynamic to the show. Their journey to running their own series would be much more difficult in today’s competitive television landscape.
As Industry prepares for its third season premiere on August 11, Kay and Down reflect on their growth as writers and the evolution of their creative partnership. Their story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and collaboration in the world of television production.
