Billions an intense drama on Showtime starring Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis

Showtime’s drama “Billions” premiered its first season in 2016 and returned for its second season in 2017. The intense drama stars Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff, and Malin Akerman.

 Paul Giamatti ('Sideways,' Cinderella Man,' 'Too Big to Fail,' 'John Adams') and Damian Lewis (“Homeland,” “Wolf Hall,”) as arch-rivals in a power struggle. 'is an Oscar nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe winner. Damian is an Emmy and Golden Globe winner. Maggie Siff (“Sons of Anarchy”) portrays Wendy Rhoades, who married to Chuck. Malin Akerman portrays Lara Axelrod, Bobby’s wife.

Video of photo shoots for season two of "Billions" from Showtime, Dec. 2016

U.S. Attorney Chuck Roades (Giamatti) portrays self-righteous blue-blooded politician with a secret dark side. Billionaire hedge fund king Bobby Axelrod (Lewis). 'Axe' is an ambitious, brilliant self-made billionaire from a blue-collar background. Wendy Roades (Siff) complicates the rivalry as a highly-compensated performance coach at Axe Capital.

In the pilot episode, Chuck Rhoades is tipped to a case on insider trading with links to Axe Capital. Chuck is determined to take down Axe Capital. This begins a high-stakes cat and mouse game between the characters.

Axe has a reputation as a folk hero because of his support of charities, particularly his support of 9/11 victims. Axe gets strong support from his wife Lara (Akerman).

In the first season, Axe purchases an oceanfront mansion, despite warnings that the public perception of greed could be disastrous and make him vulnerable to an investigation. Chuck works behind the scenes to goad Axe into the expensive purchase, upping the stakes in their intense cat and mouse game.

The show tells the story of machinations of Wall Street and politics without taking sides between the characters. It is difficult to cheer for Chuck Rhoades or Bobby Axelrod because the characters each have dark sides.

The cast also includes Toby Leonard Moore as Bryan Connerty, Daniel K. Isaac as Ben Kim, Kelly AuCoin as ‘Dollar’ Bill Stearn, Ilfenesh Hadera as Deb Kawi, David Costabile as Mike ‘Wags’ Wagner, Condola Rashad as Kate Sacher, Jack Gore as Gordie Axelrod, and Christopher Paul Richards as Dean Axelrod.

“Billions” was created, written and executive produced by Brian Koppelman and David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin.

Portions of this article were previously published by Christine Nyholm Cable TV & Celebrity Examiner

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