Session 122: Marisa Abela
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Marisa Abela, the breakout star of HBO's 'Industry', opens up about her transformation from a vulnerable drama school student to the morally complex, high-stakes protagonist Yaz in the show's final season. She reveals how the character's descent into sex trafficking—though shocking—was a natural evolution of her trauma, ambition, and need for control, rooted in years of being exploited and dismissed. Abela discusses the intense pressure of portraying such a controversial figure, the emotional toll of filming dark scenes, and her own struggles with OCD, which she links to the show’s themes of obsession and manifestation. She also reflects on fame, the backlash she faced playing Amy Winehouse, and the importance of real friendships in sustaining her through public scrutiny. Ultimately, she argues that 'Industry' isn’t just about finance—it’s about the human cost of power, identity, and the illusion of control in a world that demands you be both perfect and broken at once.
Yaz's descent into sex trafficking was not a sudden fall but a logical culmination of years of being emotionally and financially exploited.
Abela uses her own OCD to understand Yaz’s obsessive thinking, calling it 'magical thinking' where thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies.
The show’s final season was written as a 'last gasp'—Mickey and Conrad knew it was the end, so they went all in with no safety net.
Abela deleted Instagram for nine months after backlash over her Oscar carpet look, proving that online hate is temporary but real in the moment.
She believes the most redemptive act for Yaz in season five would be a selfless, purely altruistic gesture toward Harper.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Fire of 'Industry' and the Rise of Yaz
Jake Shane opens the episode with a promo for 'Dutton Ranch' and immediately dives into the cultural impact of 'Industry', setting the stage for Marisa Abela's arrival as Yaz.
From Vulnerable to Villain: Yaz's Evolution
“The biggest turning point for Yasmin as a character actually is there's a moment in season two with Kenny... she goes in and for the first time we see like the gun finger come out and her being like...”
The Dark Turn: Sex Trafficking and Control
“She's organizing all of it, but these people are sort of funding her lifestyle now. Which means she's kind of at the mercy. Again, she's put herself in a situation where she's at the mercy of men who don't necessarily have the best intentions.”
The Emotional Toll of Playing Yaz
“I find that scarier than the camera that's capturing it that's going to show it to a million people which is which is weird. Because you can separate it. Yeah, it's like... You can be like, that's gone now.”
From Drama School to Stardom: The 'Industry' Break
Abela recounts her audition for 'Industry', including buying Louis Vuitton trainers to embody the 'rich girl' persona, and how she booked the role before graduating.
“hung up the phone and I felt like a weight was lifted. I was like, oh my God, at least I have Alice.”
“I'm so scared of concrete things. Yeah, 100%. Because I'm so scared of like willing other things into existence. Yeah, yeah.”
“She's organizing all of it, but these people are sort of funding her lifestyle now. Which means she's kind of at the mercy. Again, she's put herself in a situation where she's at the mercy of men who don't necessarily have the best intentions.”
Host
Guest
marisa abela
person
industry
other
yaz
other
mickey and conrad
person
london
place
los angeles
place
hbo
organization
amy winehouse
person
back to black
media
drama school
organization
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Session 115: Dan Levy
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Session 116: Adéla
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Session 117: Ben Marshall
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 19m • 4/23/2026
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