Harry Lawtey will not return for the third season of HBO’s sexy finance drama Industry.
With a career on the rise following various film roles, Lawtey, like his former costar David Jonsson, won’t return following a “scheduling conflict.”
Lawtey will be seen next in Mr. Burton, a film chronicling the young rise of Richard Burton, one of cinema’s most celebrated actors. He plays the titular character.
The actor spoke to The Telegraph about his career’s trajectory, where the question of his exit from Industry came up.
The actor referred to his character’s story ending when he moved to California to start a new venture. Lawtey said that point in Robert’s life felt like a great place to end his story.
“Ultimately I feel like I’m in a place where I’ve said everything I had to say with a character, and I think both me and the writers felt mutually happy with where we left him,” he said. Lawtey added:
“There was actually a stage direction after my final line, in my final scene of the show, which literally read: ‘On Robert – transformation complete.’ And that sat really well with me. Now, I feel unmoored, but in a really good way. And ready for the next chapter.”
Harry Lawtey Talks Sexuality
“Er, I’d rather not speak about anything like that.”
With Robert’s departure from Industry, the show loses its final lead queer male character. Robert’s sexuality was not clearly defined in the show, but he showed interest in male partners — albeit when high.
His next character Richard is also ambiguously queer. “There were suggestions, I think, throughout Richard’s life, though nothing necessarily concrete…” Lawtey said. He added:
“I think a lot of actors, then and now, are quite… liberal with their own sexuality. And why not, I suppose.”
However, when it comes to his own sexuality, Lawtey would rather not speak about it. He said that exposing too many parts of himself to viewers affects the magic in his performances.
When asked if she shares anything queer with his characters or other actors who have been liberal with their sexuality, Lawtey said:
“Er, I’d rather not speak about anything like that, the more people know me intimately, maybe the less interesting I am as an actor. Or less convincing. My favourite actors are the ones I know least about.”
Industry Season 4 entered production in England in March 2024, but a premiere date has yet to be announced.
All seasons are streaming on Max in the US.
Mr. Burton makes its theatrical debut on April 4.