Konrad Kay is a British writer, director, and producer best known as the co-creator of the HBO/BBC television series Industry, a drama about young investment bankers in London [2][4]. Kay often collaborates with Mickey Down, with whom he shares writing, directing, and showrunning credits [4].
Early Life and Education#
Konrad Kay and Mickey Down met as undergraduates at Oxford University [2][3]. Both briefly worked in finance after graduating [2]. Kay's experiences in the financial world, along with Down's, heavily influenced the creation of Industry [2].Career#
Kay and Down began developing the concept for Industry approximately a decade before its debut [3]. Their experiences working in finance informed the show's depiction of the industry's social dynamics and demanding environment [2].Kay and Down's shared experiences in finance after university shaped the DNA of Industry, particularly in its first season, which focused on characters navigating their initial entry into the professional world [2]. They aimed to create a show set in London that portrayed ambitious individuals in a way that diverged from typical millennial caricatures often seen in similar shows [2].
Kay and Down co-wrote and directed the 2014 film Gregor [1][4]. The film received a nomination for the Discovery Award at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) [4].
Industry#
Industry, which premiered in 2020, follows a group of young graduates competing for permanent positions at Pierpoint & Co., a fictional investment bank in London [2][3]. The show explores themes of ambition, amorality, and the impact of finance on various aspects of society [2][3]. Kay serves as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the series [1][4]. He co-created the series with Mickey Down [4].The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the finance world and its exploration of complex characters [2][3]. Kay and Down wrote the episode for season 4 that included scenes filmed at a club in Cardiff, Wales [3]. The show's scope has broadened beyond the internal drama of Pierpoint to examine how finance intersects with politics, media, and culture [2]. Industry has been renewed for a fourth season [2].