New Showtime series Billions takes impressive reviews to the bank (2024)

By Justin Enriquez For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

482 shares

59 View comments

He won a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe for his role in Homeland.

And it seems like Damian Lewis is ready for another award season run.

The 44-year-old actor is considered as the standout performer in new Showtime series Billions, which premieres on Sunday.

Scroll down for video

Standout: Damian Lewis is one of the highlights of new Showtime show Billions premiering on Sunday

Lewis portrays ruthless hedge fund king Bobby 'Axe' Axeford opposite Paul Giamatti in the drama which has received generally positive reviews.

One review from Reuters written by financial reporter Jeffrey Goldfarb said Lewis' performance was top-notch.

He wrote: 'Lewis is pretty much the best thing going for 'Billions,' with a ruthless but cool demeanor that steals nearly every scene he is in.'

Kinky: Paul Giamatti also stars in the programme asUS Attorney Chuck Rhoades

Goldfarb also had good things to say about Giamatti, 48, who plays US Attorney Chuck Rhoades as he said: 'Paul Giamatti is often at his growling, hang-dog best, though it may take a couple of episodes for anyone who saw him portray Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to get used to him in this new financial role.'

John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal said the subject matter wrapped up in the financial sector is definitely enough to keep viewers compelled.

He wrote: 'Created by writer/producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien and the New York Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin, Showtime’s “Billions” has the posture of sociopolitical expose, the mechanics of a soap opera and the morals of grave robber.

'In other words, it’s irresistible.'

Good news: The show has received generally positive reviews

John Powers from National Public Radio believes it is actually Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) who is the most fascinating and original character as she happens to hear everyone's feelings.

He writes: 'Loyal to both her husband and to Axe — to what extent we can't be sure — this gifted psychologist plays the deepest game of all.

'Wendy uses her role as a confessor/advisor to nudge people into doing what she wants. She admits that such manipulation turns her on. It turns us on, too. The show perks up whenever she's on-screen.'

Dynamic do: No doubt the show will feature plenty of tense moments between the two talented actors, as they are pictured at the series premiere last week in New York

Breakout:John Powers from National Public Radio believes Maggie Siff is the most compelling character on the show

Fantastic four: Giamatti, Siff, Malin Akerman and Lewis all posed for a few snaps together at the red carpet gala

Not all the reviews are quite as glowing as Rober Bianco from USA Today said it should be relatively easy to write a compelling drama around the financial scandals and concerns about income inequality but Billions hasn't exactly hit the mark.

Bianco explained: 'What you get is a ham-fisted, irrational, superficially stylish show that thinks it’s saying something when it’s merely bellowing, and thinks it’s taking risks when it’s merely taking liberties.'

Viewers will have their own opportunity to judge whether Billions hit the jackpot or not when the series premieres on Sunday at 10pm on Showtime.

Coming soon:Billions premieres on Sunday at 10pm on Showtime

Most watched News videos

  • World's politest protestor waits for show to end before interrupting
  • Moment female acrobat falls 12ft after circus act goes wrong
  • Bodycam shows Riley Strain speaking to cops night he went missing
  • Baby-faced student Jacob Graham seen showing off weapons
  • Shocking clip of man's best friend taped to lampost by angry neighbour
  • Wills waves to cheering crowds in first outing since trip with Kate
  • Public gather in London to view suspected Banksy art work
  • 'Loch Ness monster' seen moving around in 'compelling' video
  • Kim Jong Un oversees 'real war capabilities' rocket launch drills
  • Incredible drone footage shows inside of melted f*ckushima reactor
  • Deliveroo rider from Brazil seen after biting off customer's thumb
  • Prince William makes sweet remark about wanting Kate by his side

New Showtime series Billions takes impressive reviews to the bank (2)

Comments 58

Share what you think

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

New Showtime series Billions takes impressive reviews to the bank (2024)

FAQs

Why did Damian Lewis leave Billions? ›

Summary. Damien Lewis left Billions after five seasons, impacting season 6 and changing the direction of the show. Bobby Axelrod's story wasn't finished as he returns in season 7. Lewis' departure aligned with the end of his contract and his desire to spend more time with his family in England.

Will Bryan Connerty return to Billions? ›

Indeed, some are satisfied enough to have a job at all, as the Billions finale goes out of its way to tip back to its own past, bringing in old guard characters like Bryan Connerty (Toby Leonard Moore) back into the fold; previously disgraced and sent to prison, Connerty is brought back in by Chuck and Kate Sacker ( ...

Is Billions season 7 the final season? ›

After seven seasons of cutthroat high-finance drama and power struggles, "Billions" went endgame with the titan matchup in Showtime's series finale (now streaming on Paramount+; airing on Showtime Sunday 8 EDT/PDT).

How much of Billions is real? ›

So is Billions a true story? Well, it's not entirely factual. However, the main storyline is inspired by the Cohen S.A.C Capital Case and the investing concepts we see in the show are real. Season 4 of Billions is airing on Sky Atlantic now.

Is Axe in love with Wendy Billions? ›

Another Wendy subplot throughout “Billions” has been the peculiarity of her relationship with Axelrod. There's an unmistakable chemistry between the two. They are deeply involved with each other — something that irritated Chuck and Bobby's various partners to no end — but not in a sexual way.

Is Damian Lewis coming back to billions Season 7? ›

Damian Lewis is returning to Showtime's Billions for the finance drama's upcoming seventh season. The move marks a reversal for the actor, who exited his position as the show's co-lead, playing hedge fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod, after season five.

Is there a spinoff of Billions? ›

Fans may have said their goodbyes to the Showtime series, but the world created within it is yet to be over, with a spinoff already planned and greenlit. In October 2023, fans of the hit TV series learned that Showtime plans to have not one – or two, mind you – spinoff of the successful series but four.

Is there a season 8 of Billions coming out? ›

Showrunner Confirms Billions Season 8 Isn't Happening

When asked about season 8, Koppelman said: "But Showtime, I'll say… We're done now, there's no reason to, Showtime's been incredibly supportive the entire time of the show, and right now, the support we've had has been great."

Where was Billions filmed? ›

The series is filmed mostly in New York City, but has in the past included scenes shot in the Adirondacks, including Lake Placid, and the Hudson Valley.

Is Bobby Axelrod based on a real person? ›

He has unique instincts that have led to a virtually infallible trading career. The character is loosely based on Steven A. Cohen and his former hedge fund S.A.C. Capital Advisors.

Who is Chuck Rhoades based on? ›

In 2016, a civil case was brought against Cohen by the SEC, resulting in him being prevented from managing outside money until 2018. Currently, Cohen is setting up another fund. This case also inspired other Billions characters. Chuck Rhoades is based on U.S. Attorney Prett Bharara, who pursued charges against Cohen.

How did Steve Cohen get rich? ›

The majority of Cohen's fortune is derived from his holdings in hedge funds operated by Point72 Asset Management. The firm had $33.9 billion in assets under management in April 2024, according to the firm's website, of which about $10.1 billion belongs to Cohen according to Bloomberg calculations.

Why was Axe replaced on Billions? ›

Why did Damian Lewis leave 'Billions' and then return? Lewis, a British Shakespearean actor, started discussing a potential exit from the show years before Axe's departure, expressing a desire to spend more time with his England-based family.

Does Axelrod come back to Billions? ›

Season 7, Episode 1: 'Tower of London' He's back. Bobby Axelrod, the hard-charging, take-no-prisoners billionaire who served as the antagonist-cum-co-protagonist for the first five seasons of “Billions,” returns at the end of the show's seventh and final season premiere.

What happens to Wendy in Billions? ›

eventually. Before long it's the farewell we were never ready for. Wendy announces she's staying as CEO of Mental, seeing it as a new challenge after working with Axe for so many years. It's what he wants for her, but it doesn't make it any easier.

What happens to Chuck in Billions? ›

With that, Billions arrives at its own version of a happy ending: Chuck reclaims his dream job at SDNY, Axe revives his hedge fund, Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) embraces a new challenge as the CEO of a telehealth company, and Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon) leaves the world of finance for philanthropy.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5986

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.