
Ken Leung on Playing One of TV’s Most Toxic Bosses
From The Assignment with Audie Cornish by CNN Podcasts
February 26, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 219
About this episode
Ken Leung discusses his role as a toxic boss in HBO's 'Industry' and the broader themes of masculinity and representation in media.
Actor Ken Leung is no stranger to the toxic male archetype. He embodies it as Eric Tao, the ruthless baseball-bat-carrying trading floor bully he plays on HBO’s “Industry.” Leung talks with Audie about what pushes characters like Eric—on screen and in real life—over the edge from family man to a name you could see in the Epstein files. They also discuss why women of color don’t get the “anti-hero” treatment, and how “Industry” has evolved into a portrait of the greed, corruption, and class conflict defining this moment. -- This episode was produced by Lori Galarreta and Jesse Remedios Senior Producer: Matt Martinez Technical Director: Dan Dzula Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Audie Cornish
Guest: Ken Leung
Topics covered
- toxic masculinity
- anti-heroes
- class conflict
- greed
- corruption
- media representation
Keywords
- Ken Leung
- toxic male archetype
- Industry
- HBO
- anti-hero
- class conflict
- greed
- corruption
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: HBO
Books & works: Industry
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