On the latest episode of HBO’s “Industry,” titled “Eyes Without a Face,” the series delivers a compelling spotlight on Sweetpea Golightly, played with increasing nuance by Miriam Petche. While “Industry” rarely offers straightforward heroes, Sweetpea is emerging as the closest the show has to one, a character navigating the treacherous waters of high finance with a pragmatism born of necessity and a growing sense of self-worth.
Introduced in Season 3 as an entry-level employee at the now-defunct Pierpoint & Co., Sweetpea quickly distinguished herself not only through her ambition but also through a side hustle selling photos on OnlyFans – a stark illustration of the transactional nature of power dynamics within the financial world. This season, however, finds her in a more vulnerable position. The public exposure of her online activity, courtesy of the recently disgraced Rishi Ramdani, has limited her career options, forcing her to work for Harper Stern (Myha’la), a demanding and emotionally unavailable boss at SternTao, Harper’s new independent venture.
The episode centers around a high-stakes mission: Harper tasks Sweetpea and trader Kwabena (Toheeb Jimoh) with investigating Tender, a fintech company that SternTao has bet against. Tender’s unexpectedly strong performance is squeezing SternTao’s short position, and Harper needs concrete evidence of wrongdoing to justify her investment strategy. The journey takes Sweetpea and Kwabena to Accra, Ghana, where they attempt to uncover the truth behind Tender’s seemingly miraculous success.
In Ghana, Sweetpea’s investigative skills come to the fore. She relentlessly pursues leads, questioning contacts and digging for information, ultimately uncovering evidence of inflated acquisition figures. Tender had falsely reported paying $50 million for Swift GC, a company that, in reality, is little more than a dilapidated office building. This fraudulent accounting practice was designed to artificially boost revenue and mislead investors.
However, the pursuit of truth comes at a personal cost. While in Accra, Sweetpea is assaulted in a bathroom, a jarring and unsettling moment that underscores the dangers she faces as she challenges powerful interests. The attack doesn’t deter her, but it profoundly impacts her, fueling a determination to “run a fucking train” on those who have wronged her. She also seeks solace in a brief encounter with Kwabena, a decision that complicates their professional relationship.
Returning to London with the evidence needed to save SternTao, Sweetpea confronts Harper, not only delivering the crucial information but also asserting her own boundaries. She bluntly informs Harper about her relationship with Kwabena and demands to be compensated for her work, refusing to be taken for granted. This culminates in a private breakdown, a raw and emotional moment where Sweetpea allows herself to acknowledge the toll her experiences have taken.
Miriam Petche, in a recent interview with Variety, spoke about the emotional arc of her character. She explained that Sweetpea is driven by a need to prove her worth, believing that her intelligence and competence are her only safeguards in a ruthless world. Petche emphasized that the events of Episode 5 are pivotal for Sweetpea, forcing her to confront her vulnerabilities and redefine her sense of self.
The trip to Ghana, though brief, was a significant experience for Petche. While much of the episode was filmed in Cardiff, a short stint in South Africa allowed the cast to immerse themselves in a different environment, adding authenticity to the storyline. Petche described the experience as a “whirlwind,” emphasizing the intensity of filming the episode’s climactic scenes.
The bathroom assault scene, Petche explained, wasn’t intended to be gratuitous but rather to depict Sweetpea’s loss of control and safety. The scene was carefully choreographed with stunt coordination to ensure the safety of all involved, and Petche focused on conveying the emotional impact of the attack on her character.
Petche also discussed the complex dynamic between Sweetpea and Harper, noting that Sweetpea initially idealized Harper before realizing her flaws. Despite their complicated relationship, Sweetpea recognizes Harper’s intelligence and ambition, leading to a mix of admiration and frustration. The episode’s final confrontation, where Sweetpea asserts her boundaries and demands payment, marks a turning point in their relationship.
“Eyes Without a Face” is a powerful episode that showcases Sweetpea’s resilience and determination. While the victory over Tender is significant, it comes at a personal cost, leaving Sweetpea emotionally vulnerable and questioning her future. As Petche herself admits, she is “worried for her,” acknowledging the potential for Sweetpea to become increasingly compromised as she navigates the cutthroat world of high finance. The episode serves as a reminder that even in a world driven by ambition and profit, the human cost can be substantial.
For Petche, the experience of working on “Industry” has been invaluable, providing her with practical knowledge about television production and a deeper understanding of the craft of acting. She hopes to carry these lessons forward as she continues to develop her career.
