Think of it as London's answer to Showtime's Billions, the television drama series about high-flying hedge fund executives in New York. Where Billions depicts life among the silverback gorillas of the hedge fund world, the BBC's new drama Industry focuses on those on the bottom rungs of the investment-banking ladder.

While some in the banking sector scoffed at the programme's sensationalist depictions of partying and sex, they say some of the small things —uncomfortable conversations with HR, senior bankers' obsession with fonts and formatting — show that the writers know the behind-the-scenes realities of the City. The show was executive produced by Lena Dunham, known for the HBO hit Girls.