Kit Harington banks on new role in ‘Industry’ series: ‘Charming and yet threatening’

Kit Harington brings star wattage to Season 3 of “Industry,” the HBO/MAX British investment banking series that’s been dubbed the “missing link between ‘Succession’ and ‘Euphoria.’”

Harington will forever be known, of course, as Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones.”  Now he is Sir Harry, a banking rival.

“I don’t like it being compared to ‘Succession’ or ‘Euphoria.’ I think it’s utterly unique and I jumped” Harington, 37, said at a Hudson Yards Manhattan press conference, “at the chance to be part of it.

“My challenge was to come in and not ruin it. Not be the guy who comes in and it just doesn’t work.”

What was so irresistible about this investment banker to bring him back to series television? Who is his Sir Harry anyway?

“I’ve known a lot of people like Harry,” Harington allowed. “What I found fascinating about him was that he comes from a privilege that he can’t see.

“He can’t see his own privilege! Amazingly, he might say he does, but he can’t see it. He’s within this net of privilege that he can’t see out of. He can’t see how he’s held and yet at the same time, within that little gilded cage, these horrific things have happened in his life.

“I thought that was a fascinating place to start with someone — and be able to explore someone in that place of privilege. Yet they’re deeply, deeply not happy, and don’t know who they are. It’s that story, really.

“I also,” he added, “found him as someone charming and yet threatening. That is a really fun one to play! And finally, we had this joke going, about how many times he uses the word ‘vulnerable’ in the show.

“He’s that modern guy who’s gone to therapy and understands fully that the world has changed. And that he, as a man, has to change with it.

“But he will now manipulate women with therapy chat. And he can’t see it. I just thought, What a wonderful character!”

“Industry” is notable for its multiracial cast. Unknowns when the series began they’ve been finding broader recognition.

For Harington, that is very familiar with what happened with “Game of Thrones.”

“Thematically, story-wise, the show isn’t comparable to ‘Game of Thrones’ at all. But my experience as an actor here is very similar.

“There’s a lot of actors in this, brilliantly talented young actors! And this is their first job.  That was my experience on ‘Game of Thrones.’ It brings a lot of excitement and a lot of work in our relationships on the set. It’s a family unit.

“And if that’s working, the show can go on and work.”

Season 3 of “Industry” streams Sunday on HBO/MAX