Interview with HBO/ Industry actor David Jonsson on The Rakish Gent

Industry was one of the biggest TV hits of 2020. Lauded not only for its accurate and detailed portrayal of the complicated and influential world of investment banking, the BBC show (for the first time in what seems like forever) elected to have all of the drama played out almost entirely by a group of young actors, who were largely making their first steps in the acting world.

Recently named by Digital Spy as one of their Digital Spy Rising British stars of tomorrow, the actor was offered a scholarship to attend RADA by Warner Bros and played his first role out of drama school in Mary Stuart at the Almeida.

Tell us about the role that you play in Industry.

I play a character called Augustus ‘Gus’ Sackey, a young graduate finding his way in the world of high finance.

What was it that drew you to this project?

The character. I was filming another project [Deep State] when I first got the script through. I was in the desert doing MI5 training before sunrise, shooting guns and riding in 4x4 Defenders every day. So, when I read the script for Industry and got to know Gus, it just felt like the polar opposite of what I was playing at the time and I really liked that. As an actor, I guess that’s what you look for - something different every time.

How have the writers and producers approached turning the world of investment banking into a drama that people will want to watch?

With experience, imagination and a little bit of destruction I’d say. The writers [Mickey and Konrad] come from a finance background, so they had a wealth of knowledge to offer us if and when we needed it. It felt like they trusted us, which meant we could let go of the reins a little too. I think that’s what people want to see, isn’t it? Something true, but also imaginative.

What did you have to do to prep for the role?

I read a lot: The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, The Idiot by Dostoevsky. Gus is really clever and quick but beneath all that, quite vulnerable. It was important for me to marry the two. I also took a few day trips to Oxford and Eton College to get a feel for where Gus would have spent his time.

Have you ever been tempted to work in that environment for real? Did they offer any insight to what it was really like after hours?

No, I definitely haven’t. I did have some long chats with real bankers and it just seemed like a wild world, to be honest. Maybe too wild for me, ha!

Have you had any feedback from those that work in that industry?

Tons. I was actually stopped in the street yesterday by a couple of girls who work at Goldman. It’s crazy how relative people find the show and Gus. The amount of people that have reached out to say thanks for putting their experience on screen has been genuinely humbling.

Initially, what drew you to a career as an actor?

I was raised on film. My Dad had walls stacked with of old VHS cassettes. Lady Sings the Blues, Coming to America, Mahogany. A lot of RKO classics too; Top Hat and Bringing Up Baby. It’s always been around. I also have really supportive parents who tell me that I can do and be anything, so it never felt too far away or impossible.

You must have been thrilled to be offered a scholarship to attend RADA. What was that like?

It was crazy because, if I’m honest, I didn’t really know anything about drama schools. All I knew was that I wanted to learn and get better. So, when I got awarded a scholarship from Warner Bros. it was all a bit much to take in. I’m still incredibly grateful for that because without it, I don’t think I would’ve been able to afford it.

As an actor that has experience of working in theatre, do you have any insight or suggestions about what can be done to resurrect the industry?

I think we need to invest in new talent. We live in a different world now, after everything that’s happened globally in the last year. There’s a quote from Miles Davis that says, ‘If anyone wants to keep creating, it has to be about change.’ I really love that... We have to be the change, together.

What are you working on next and at the moment?

Right now, I’m filming the lead role in a very exciting project. After that I’m doing a play at the Almeida this summer, but we’ll see…

And finally, what makes a rakish gent?

For me, I suppose it’s a state of mind. Don’t force anything. Just let it be. No stress.

Quick fire questions

Ideal travel destination – Harlem, New York.

Best store in the world - Aesop.

Gadget of choice - Headphones.

Go to pair of shoes - Air Force 1’s.

Brand/ designer of choice - Off White, Virgil Abloh.

Favourite fragrance - Tom Ford, Tuscan Leather.

Essential grooming project - Dr Jackson, 07 face wash.

Recommended app - Bible app.

Icon - Pharrell.

Industry is currently available on BBC Iplayer.

Follow David Jonsson on Instagram.

SPOTLIGHT: Mr David Jonsson