In the forthcoming TV drama Billions, Emmy Award-winning actor Paul Giamatti (John Adams) plays US Attorney Chuck Rhoades. Set in Manhattan, Giamatti’s character is on a mission to take down blue-collar, hedge fund billionaire Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, who’s portrayed by Damian Lewis (Homeland). Neither character is “likeable.”
In the trailer, Axelrod is seen talking to his employees at a staff meeting like he’s a sergeant about to send cops out on a dangerous sting: “Play hard, play clean, be careful out there.” Rhoades is certain that he will catch Axelrod and outthink him. “A good matador doesn’t kill a fresh bull. You wait until he gets stucks a few times.” Billions will premiere on January 17 on Showtime.
