Sagar Radia, Myha’la Herrold and Harry Lawtey in “Industry.”

There was a time when I couldn’t watch “The Office.” Not the U.K. original, not even the Americanized version that strategically dialed down the cringe. Both versions of the show were very well made, but I couldn’t watch anything that reminded me of, you know, the office. I was working a desk job at the time, and the last thing I wanted was a show that reminded me of the place where I spent eight-plus hours every day. I somehow found shows like “The Sopranos” more escapist, more relaxing, than a 22-minute office comedy. I didn’t linger on why that was.

Until I started watching “Industry,” Max’s financial world drama that takes “Succession’s” place as the best show currently on television. Well, it’s the best show if you don’t happen to work in finance. And, unlike a person I spoke to for this article, I don’t work in finance. Lucky me.

In fact, I haven’t worked in a physical office in 15 years, which among other life bonuses has also allowed me to dip back into office-set TV shows and movies without having to bring my day’s baggage along with me. I now delight in watching characters accumulate that baggage. In fact, I YEARN to watch these people crushed under the weight of expectations. No Jim Halpert stares required. I want office DRAMA, so much so that white collar suspense may now be my favorite genre. “Mad Men,” “Severance,” “Succession.” Those stories all make their money by dialing in on characters who occupy lofty positions in the workforce but who must destroy lives, their own included, to retain those positions.

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If you want to watch rich people suffer, and I mean SUFFER, “Industry” knows how to give the goods. Every character on this show has money, but never enough of it. They drink and f—k to excess, but........

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