Categories Billions Print Media

Billions’ Creators Discuss How the Finale was Fueled by Backstabbing and Blind Faith’s Music

This Season is For People Who Really Loved the Show

by Greg Braxton | LA Times | October 27, 2023

When the propulsive financial drama “Billions” premiered in 2016, its core premise centered on the vicious blood feud between U.S Atty. Chuck Rhoades and billionaire hedge fund king Bobby “Axe” Axelrod. The hatred between the two men was so fierce it was almost assured that only one man would be left standing at the end.

But the climactic moment of the series finale showcased a warm handshake between Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and Axelrod (Damian Lewis) as they reflected how their vicious duel had radically changed them both and made them better men.
The moment was unexpected but also inevitable. The former foes had joined forces this final season to combat their common enemy — Michael “Mike” Prince (Corey Stoll), a billionaire who was not as brash as Axelrod but who unveiled a sinister hunger for power as he launched his candidacy to become president.

Continue reading Billions’ Creators Discuss How the Finale was Fueled by Backstabbing and Blind Faith’s Music

Categories Billions Print Media

As ‘Billions’ Ends, Its Creators Discuss the Changing Face of the Ultrarich

Billions: Imminent Conclusion

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | October 26, 2023

In an interview, the showrunners discussed its imminent conclusion and the rise of billionaires who believe they are “making the world a better place.”

As the Showtime financial thriller “Billions” prepares to air its final episode this weekend, it’s worth considering how far we’ve come. The show started as the story of the crusading U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and the hard-charging hedge funder Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Exclusive restaurants, elaborate schemes and a host of cameos by real-world power players provided the backdrop for their battle.

Continue reading As ‘Billions’ Ends, Its Creators Discuss the Changing Face of the Ultrarich

Categories Interviews Music Print Media

Damian Lewis Talks Music Before His Basingstoke Show

Jazz and Jazz Influences

by Lola Crossman | Basingstoke Gazette | October 26, 2023

HOLLYWOOD actor and singer-songwriter Damian Lewis has spoken to the Gazette ahead of his show at The Haymarket in November.

Damian Lewis is best known for portraying US Army Major Richard Winters in the Steven Spielberg HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.

Damian has also played notable roles in the TV shows Billions and Homeland, and portrayed actor Steve McQueen in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino.

He released his debut album, Mission Creep, on June 16, with influences of rock and ‘jazz-tinged songs’.

Continue reading Damian Lewis Talks Music Before His Basingstoke Show

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

From The Trader’s Desk: Follow the Breadcrumbs…

Billions Season 7 Episode 11: ‘Axe Global’

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | October 26, 2023

‘Cause what you see you might not get
And we can bet, so don’t you get souped yet
You’re scheming on a thing that’s a mirage
I’m trying to tell you now, it’s sabotage
Sabotage – Beastie Boys

Well, ladies and gentlemen, here we are – the penultimate episode of Billions!

As the lyrics above state, what you see you might not get, and I do think what we didn’t see in this episode is going to turn out to be way more important than what we did. Let’s get into it.

Continue reading From The Trader’s Desk: Follow the Breadcrumbs…

Categories Billions Poll Print Media

Billions MVPs: Season 7 Episode 11, “Axe Global”

The Unbeatable, Unstoppable, Unparalleled MVPs 

by Staff | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | October 25, 2023

Billions is back and so is our MVP series! We continue to award our Most Valuable Players for Billions season seven in our series compilation, the ‘Billions MVP Fanbook,’ which commemorates all those in honor of achievement for the utmost brazen, uber shameless, ultra scheming, unmatched bad asses from the episode – from sports references, music and tasty food to pop culture remarks, shocking twists and ultimate paybacks. In case you missed it, catch up with the MVPs of the season seven premiere Tower of London, episode two Original Sin, episode three Winston Dick Energy, episode four Hurricane Rosie, episode five The Gulag Archipelago, episode six The Man in the Olive Drab T-Shirt, episode seven DMV, episode eight The Owl, episode nine Game Theory Optimal and episode ten Enemies List.

Now let’s dive in. Here are the Billions MVP awards for Season 7, Episode 11, “Axe Global.”

Continue reading Billions MVPs: Season 7 Episode 11, “Axe Global”

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 11: Axe Global

The Calm Before The Storm

by Damianista | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | October 21, 2023

In one of the best episodes of the entire series, which I would call “the calm before the storm” Axe, Chuck and Wendy finally set up the game to take down Prince. The key to the episode is the three of them discussing Prince’s strengths and weaknesses in Chuck’s SDNY office where Wendy does her thing:

“We’re facing an ambitious, competent, confident, charismatic, socially conscious strategic thinker with high emotional intelligence and deep sources. But he’s morally complex, which means he likes to think he’s more ethical than those around him. And he’s not immune from engaging in questionable tactics to achieve his goals. That is a slippery slope and once place he can be hit. And he believes his own infallibility above all else.”

Continue reading Billions on Showtime, Season 7 Episode 11: Axe Global

Categories Billions Gallery Trailer Video

Next Time on the Series Finale of Billions

Season 7, Episode 12: “Admirals Fund”

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | October 20, 2023

Trust is built and broken as fate hangs in the balance for all when Chuck, Axe and Prince have the ultimate showdown. Series finale.

To view more sneak peek photos, please visit our Gallery. Continue reading Next Time on the Series Finale of Billions

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 11 Recap: Courting a Centrist Candidate

Axe Global

by Sean T. Collins | New York Times | October 20, 2023

Season 7, Episode 11: ‘Axe Global’

“So, well, there’s that.” You said it, Axe. The penultimate episode of “Billions” has now come and gone, and with it one of the show’s final opportunities to really blow us away with a patented five-steps-ahead scheme that ends in a sudden twist turning everything on its ear. That is … not what we got.

Don’t get me wrong — the five-steps-ahead thing is still alive and well in “Billions”-land. Mike’s story line hinges on how, or whether, to respond to the latest attack from Chuck and company: an all-out legal assault on his private holdings by the Southern District of New York. These are the only companies in which Prince Cap remains invested after Mike orders everything else dissolved to reduce vulnerability to Axe’s financial machinations. He has already voluntarily taken a huge loss as a defensive maneuver; to lose further, from that position, would make him look fatally weak.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 11 Recap: Courting a Centrist Candidate

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

Billions Season 7, Episode 11 Recap: Minted

Axe Global

by Sarene Leeds | Vulture | October 20, 2023

If there’s one thing we can count on from Billions, it’s that by the end of every penultimate episode, we still have no clue how things will turn out. That’s exactly where we are as we gear up for next week’s series finale. Naturally, I have my theories, but from covering this show for multiple seasons, I’ve learned that it’s never a good idea to go all in on any of my predictions.

On the surface, “Axe Global” concluded with Team Axe/Chuck ostensibly accepting the Biggest Losers title: Prince somehow convinced his onetime rival, Governor Nancy Dunlop, to join him on the ticket as his vice-president. The clout and voters that Dunlop brings with her all but guarantee that Michael Prince will be the next president of the United States.

Continue reading Billions Season 7, Episode 11 Recap: Minted

Categories Billions Print Media Recap

From The Trader’s Desk: Don’t Kick the Hornet’s Nest!

Billions Season 7 Episode 10 ‘Enemies List’

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun with Damian Lewis | October 20, 2023

They cursed and buried him along with shame
And thought his timeless soul had gone
In empty burning hell, unholy one
But he’s returned to prove them wrong, so wrong
Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne

Hello and welcome to this week’s From the Trader’s Desk. What an episode this week! Billions sure has been bringing it the last few weeks. And if these last two episodes are any indication, we are in for a wild ride the next two weeks!

Continue reading From The Trader’s Desk: Don’t Kick the Hornet’s Nest!

Categories Billions Music Print Media

Bobby Axelrod: A Man and His Music

From the Trader’s Desk

by Lady Trader | Fan Fun With Damian Lewis | October 19, 2023

Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Rainbow, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica

In each season of Billions, at least one episode has featured a song and t-shirt of a metal band that are Axe’s favorites. (Even an Axe-less Season 6 featured Mötley Crüe’s “Wild Side“.)

The writers of Billions make purposeful choices with music placement, so we know that these decisions are made to tell a story, shine a light on who the character is, or to set a tone. (Gingersnap and I are still holding out Season 7 will finally be the year of Iron Maiden but it’s getting close to the wire!!)

So, let’s take a look back at a man and his music, and maybe make some predictions!

Continue reading Bobby Axelrod: A Man and His Music

Categories Broadcast Media Dream Horse Print Media

Dream Horse Screening at Kilmersdon Village Hall

Reel People Film Group

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | October 18, 2023

Big screen cinema entertainment returns to Kilmersdon Village Hall in Somerset on Friday, 20th October as the local community film group, Reel People Films open their new season with a screening of the wonderful, Dream Horse.

Reel People’s opening film, Dream Horse (Cert PG, 1hr 42 mins) is a ‘feelgood’ choice to start your weekend. Set in a Welsh mining village, the film tells the ‘true’ story of an unlikely racehorse, ‘Dream Alliance’, raised by a local bartender with very little money who needs to convince the local community to support her. Starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis. Doors and bar open at 7:15 p.m. for a drink and a chat, with the film at starting 8:00 p.m.

Continue reading Dream Horse Screening at Kilmersdon Village Hall