This year, the Emmys completely shut out Industry.
Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised by this move. Industry Season 4 wasn’t the show’s strongest season in my opinion, and the competition was especially tough this year.
However, there was a crucial acting nomination from the show that was snubbed: Ken Leung.
Industry has cycled through so many characters over the past few seasons, but Leung’s departure from the HBO series is perhaps the most memorable of them all.
I’m upset that the Television Academy snubbed Leung for his incredible performance; he absolutely deserved a nomination for his portrayal of Eric Tao in Industry Season 4.
If the Emmys won’t give Leung the flowers he deserves for his role, I will.
Eric Tao’s Complicated Character
Industry Season 4 struggled to maintain a steady overarching direction, but it still offered critical character development that deserves recognition, particularly for Eric Tao.
Eric Tao’s unforgettable character arc definitely comes from great writing choices, but it’s Ken Leung’s acting that really seals the deal.
From Eric’s very first appearance on screen, you can tell there’s a darker, more sinister side to him that Leung captures through his acting choices.
What always blows me away is that Eric is objectively an awful person, but it’s truly Leung’s performance that sells his more empathetic side.
There’s the stereotype of how male drama performances are frequently nominated for guys who are great at screaming and unleashing their anger.
Leung’s performance is quite the opposite; his subtlety is what makes his portrayal of Eric so effective.
Even during Industry Season 4, Eric is arguably at his lowest moment, especially with his divorce and involvement with young sex workers.
It’s painful to watch Eric’s story play out, but at the same time, it’s impossible to look away thanks to Leung’s nuanced portrayal of this morally grey character.
I don’t think anybody can forget the moment when Eric receives the blackmail from Whitney.
That expression of horror on his face is such a haunting and excellent moment from Leung that really drives the nail into Eric’s career coffin.
After four incredible seasons, Leung deserves awards-show recognition not only for delivering consistently great performances but also for elevating the scenes he shares with other actors.
Ken Leung’s Performance Elevated Scenes With Other Actors
There’s no denying that Industry has tons of powerhouses in the cast, even if it’s shifted over the years.
Myha’la, Marisa Abela, and Miriam Petche all delivered incredible performances in the fourth season that all deserve recognition.
But every scene that these actors shared with Ken Leung was instantly elevated by his performance.
This is especially true for any scene Harper and Eric shared, from Industry Season 1 through Eric’s departure on Industry Season 4 Episode 6.
Myha’la and Leung have such unbelievable chemistry, and the shifting power dynamic from mentor-mentee to competitors to business partners easily made their relationship one of the best parts of the show.
The intensity of scenes between the two actors — especially the final confrontation between Harper and Eric — made me realize that they are truly the beating heart of the show.
It’s impossible to watch the scene where Harper’s heart is broken by Eric’s decision to leave SternTao and protect her without wondering why Myha’la and Leung haven’t been cast in more roles.
And given Leung’s exit, I wish the Emmys had recognized how Myha’la and Leung have given us one of the most fascinating and twisted character dynamics in a prestige show in recent years.
It’s such a shame that Leung’s last season on Industry was completely ignored by the Emmy voters.
With The Pitt and Pluribus going head-to-head this year in the drama category, it would’ve been tough for Industry to realistically win.
Sure, Ken Leung might have already secured his legacy by appearing on game-changing shows like Lost, but there’s no denying that an Emmy for his role as Eric Tao would have been amazing.
As we approach Industry’s fifth and final season, I will be mourning the loss of seeing Leung on my screen every week.
What do you think about Industry’s Emmy snubs?
Do you think the show deserved some nominations?
Were there any shows you were surprised or excited about in this year’s nominations?
Comment your thoughts below!
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Once upon a time, Industry was messy and raw. Then it cast famous people and it became, controlled, duller, and less dangerous. We dive into why.
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