Industry’s Sweetpea finally gets her deserved spotlight – and her complex arc is one of the best of the season

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*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Industry season 4 episode 5, Eyes Without a Face.*

When Sweetpea Golightly joined the cast of Industry in season 3 as a fresh, enthusiastic new graduate, it was immediately clear she’d become a memorable and lasting character.

She consistently went the extra mile at Pierpoint, even arriving early to create content for her 50,000 followers. Despite her growing online presence, she remained dedicated to her job, always thinking quickly and staying one step ahead. She didn’t let negative comments bother her—or at least, she tried not to.

In the season 3 finale, she delivered a particularly sharp and memorable line to Rishi (Sagar Radia): “Respectfully, you make it hard to care.”

Throughout the season, people consistently underestimated her, and she had to listen to Rishi criticize her work on Siren, a platform similar to OnlyFans. It would have been simple to write her off as just another enthusiastic young cast member, but the show thankfully saw her potential. She proved to be a key competitor in a season where few people succeeded.

The character of Sweetpea is noticeably changed from what we saw in season four, but this episode finally allows her – and actress Miriam Petche – to shine with a surprising and welcome depth.

Sweetpea starts her fourth season with her usual quick wit, strong loyalty to Harper, and dedication to her work. However, she also seems burdened by something unseen, a subtle weight she can’t quite shake.

As the story moves to Accra, Ghana, we begin to understand the bigger picture. We follow Sweetpea as she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events at Tender.

We already know Whitney is determined to destroy her competitor’s business, and in this episode, we learn the reason behind her strong feelings. She reveals to Kwabena that she’s invested everything she has into this venture.

Before landing the job at Harper, Sweetpea faced rejection after multiple interviews elsewhere. Now, with private photos leaked online, many in the industry see her as a potential liability. She’s determined to prove herself through her work and hopes the scandal will eventually fade. This episode also reveals Sweetpea believes Rishi was responsible for the leak – a suspicion that fits his character perfectly. He’s truly capable of anything, isn’t he?

It’s hard to fully understand Sweetpea until she openly shares her feelings. We might be so used to seeing her as a sharp, confident graduate that we forget she’s a person with emotions, and moments of vulnerability are rare in a show like Industry. When those moments do happen, it’s usually when the characters are at their most desperate, feeling like they have nothing left to hide and are willing to reveal a glimpse of their true feelings.

Sweetpea’s experiences highlight the pressures of a work environment that encourages overwork and ignores personal wellbeing. The fact that she even has to consider whether a male colleague might ask about a personal photo – like one of her breasts – shows how uncomfortable and unsafe that environment can be. While the show uses this awkwardness for comedic effect, it underscores a very real concern for women navigating these professional spaces.

The episode chillingly highlights this issue with Eric (Ken Leung), who is shown looking at Sweetpea’s private photos while wearing a bathrobe. As he scrolls through the email chain, it’s revealed the subject line is a disrespectful term, “City Tart,” and includes Sweetpea’s professional picture. The show continues to deliver unsettling moments, and this is a particularly disturbing one. It’s not only clear a colleague has seen these photos, but now the audience knows Sweetpea’s new boss has as well.

This episode continues to be difficult for Sweetpea. After making a long journey, she’s completely dismissed by Tony Day, a Tender employee who previously seemed interested in her – even flirting over the phone. He abruptly changes his behavior, makes a subtle threat, and then Sweetpea is brutally attacked in a public restroom. The scene is genuinely chilling, but true to form, Sweetpea bravely recovers and keeps going, despite possibly breaking her nose.

Viewers might have different opinions about what happens with Kwabena next, but it seems like whenever the story moves to a new setting, a romantic or sexual encounter usually follows. It’s upsetting that being compared to Kwabena’s disturbing preferences would actually encourage these characters to act on their attraction, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case.

I believe focusing too much on the drama distracts from the central point: Sweetpea is fighting to regain control of her life. While she throws herself into work, her affair with her boss’s partner shows she’s also looking out for herself – and that’s fitting, because this season, and the industry as a whole, is all about self-preservation.

What really got to me in the latest episode was the ending with Sweetpea. After finally exposing Tender as a fraud, she comes back to London looking absolutely crushed. I was so surprised by her reaction when she ran into Harper in her building—they’ve always seemed so friendly! Maybe it’s because Harper is clearly hurting and needs support, and that made Sweetpea act so guarded—it really resonated with me. But beyond that, the scene perfectly highlighted the differences in how Gen Z and millennials view work, which was brilliant.

Sweetpea’s generation values work-life balance and doesn’t feel the need to always be ‘on,’ unlike previous generations who prioritized work and often blurred the lines between professional and personal relationships. While Sweetpea is right to clearly define her role and expect fair compensation, she also needs to prioritize her own well-being and take some time for herself.

Seeing Sweetpea vulnerable – fresh from the bath and crying – was a completely new side of her. Throughout the series, she’s always seemed strong and guarded, and fans have appreciated that. We haven’t learned much about her personal life, family, or any challenges she’s faced. But by dedicating an entire episode to exploring her backstory, Industry continues to demonstrate its exceptional skill in developing complex characters and discovering talented actors.

Petche is quickly becoming a standout performer, and this episode really showcased her talent. If the show gets renewed, viewers will be eager to see more of her captivating presence – and so am I!

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As a huge fan, I’m thrilled to share where you can catch ‘Industry’! Here in the UK, you can stream seasons 1 through 3 on BBC iPlayer, and they’re continuing with season 4 every Monday on both BBC One and iPlayer. If you’re in the US, the show airs on HBO.

Keep up with Industry by adding it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app! Download now to get daily TV recommendations, exclusive features, and more.

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 BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-02-09 06:35