Industry star reveals outcome of season 3 cliffhanger: “It’s emotionally demanding”

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*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Industry season 3.*

After the shocking events at the end of Industry season 3, viewers expected Rishi to be changed in season 4. However, actor Sagar Radia says it proved challenging to portray Rishi’s transformation from a confident, carefree character to someone completely falling apart.

Radia is back for season four, and she says this season will be particularly challenging emotionally. In a statement to the BBC, she explained that she enjoyed the opportunity to portray a more complex side of her character, who started as the show’s comedic relief but gradually revealed a more vulnerable and relatable personality.

Honestly, what I really appreciated about this project was helping Rishi move away from his usual, flashy style and towards something more grounded and authentic. It was incredibly rewarding to see that shift happen.

As fans may recall, Rishi had a significant storyline in season 3, with a full episode devoted to exploring his past, including his gambling debts and battles with drug use.

This episode was a highlight of the season, filled with intense twists and turns that kept you hooked, even though you knew things were heading for a tragic outcome for everyone involved.

Rishi’s wife, Diana (played by Emily Barber), tragically became a victim of his gambling debts. Vinay (Asim Chaudhry), the bookie Rishi owed a large sum of money to, confronted him and Diana. After Rishi repeatedly lied about repayment, Vinay shockingly shot and killed Diana during their visit. Rishi had been accumulating these debts throughout the third season.

Radia explained that the big twist in season three completely broke Rishi down mentally, even though it appeared to be about finances. Throughout the first three seasons, Rishi presented himself as someone who could handle anything – confident, quick-witted, and seemingly invulnerable. He always succeeded by being smarter, more charming, and more resilient than others.

Honestly, by the end of season three, it was heartbreaking to watch him. All that strength and control he had? It just seemed to… disappear. Whether it was the money problems, losing his wife, or just constantly making bad decisions at work, he was completely broken down. He wasn’t the same confident guy anymore; it was like that confidence was just a facade he couldn’t keep up anymore, and you could really feel him being weighed down by everything he’d done.

The creators of the series have revealed that HBO almost didn’t include the depiction of Diana’s death. Konrad Kay explained to Wired after the episode aired that HBO requested the scene be removed during the writing process.

We suggested filming a rough version to get their feedback. After filming and editing it, we showed it to them, and they loved it – they only had a few minor suggestions. The final episode you see is very similar to that initial cut.

I’m really curious to see what this new season brings for Rishi! I have a feeling things won’t be easy for him as a financial trader, and he’ll definitely face some challenges. We’ll just have to watch and see how it all unfolds, but I don’t expect it to be smooth sailing!

In the fourth season of Industry, Harper and Yasmin seem to have achieved their goals as successful Pierpoint graduates. However, their lives are turned upside down when a new, exciting financial technology company arrives in London, leading them into a complex and competitive situation that takes them around the world.

Yasmin’s relationship with tech mogul Sir Henry Muck and Harper’s connection with the mysterious Whitney Halberstram are causing their friendship to change in complicated ways. The pressures of wealth, influence, and ambition are straining their bond and creating intense conflict.

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You can currently watch seasons 1 through 3 of Industry on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Season 4 will premiere on Monday, January 12th, 2026, on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer. In the US, the show airs on HBO.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

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2026-01-06 11:35