Billions (TV series)
Billions is an American drama television series created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin. The series premiered on January 17, 2016, on Showtime and its seventh and final season premiered on August 13, 2023.[1][2]
Billions
United States
English
7
84 (list of episodes)
- Brian Koppelman
- David Levien
- Christian Soriano
- Andrew Ross Sorkin
- Neil Burger
54–60 minutes
- Best Available!
- TBTF Productions Inc. (seasons 1 & 2)
January 17, 2016
October 29, 2023
Set primarily in New York and Connecticut, the series depicts hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) as he accumulates wealth and power in the world of high finance.[3][4] Axelrod's aggressive tactics frequently garner the attention of United States Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). Rhoades is based on Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan from 2009 to 2017, and the series was inspired by real-life federal prosecutions of financial crime.[5][6] Bharara's 2013 prosecution of hedge fund manager Steven A. Cohen of S.A.C. Capital Advisors loosely influenced the first season, while Salomon Brothers' 1991 manipulation of U.S. Treasury bonds inspired the second.[7] Series subplots feature the psychiatrist turned performance coach Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), market analyst Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon), and Axelrod's right-hand man Mike "Wags" Wagner (David Costabile).
As the first American TV series to have a non-binary character (Taylor Mason),[8][9] it has been nominated multiple times for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series for its representation of the LGBTQ community.
Plot[edit]
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Chuck Roades (Giamatti) goes after hedge fund manager and popular philanthropist Bobby "Axe" Axelrod (Lewis). A collision course, with each using all of their considerable smarts and influence to outmaneuver the other, looms.
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
The series was ordered by Showtime in March 2015,[22] and the first season premiered January 17, 2016.[23] On January 26, 2016, the series was renewed for the second season,[24] which premiered on February 19, 2017.[25] Showtime confirmed in April 2017 that Asia Kate Dillon, who is non-binary, would be a series regular in the third season.[9] Billions is considered to be the first American TV series to have a non-binary character.[8]
Preet Bharara, the inspiration for U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhodes who was portrayed by Paul Giamatti, was somewhat critical of Giamatti's casting – jokingly referring to the Italian American actor as "noted Indian American actor Paul Giamatti".[26]
On May 8, 2019, the series was renewed for a fifth season by Showtime,[27] which premiered on May 3, 2020.[28] On October 1, 2020, Showtime renewed the series for a sixth season and Corey Stoll was promoted to series regular.[29][30][31] On February 15, 2022, Showtime renewed the series for a seventh and final season[1][32]
Broadcast[edit]
The first episode was made available on January 1, 2016, via video on demand services in the U.S. and via CraveTV in Canada.[33][34] It premiered on Stan in Australia on January 27, 2016, and in Canada on The Movie Network on January 17, 2016, simultaneous with the American broadcast.[35]
Depiction of BDSM[edit]
The show captured the attention of the BDSM community, as it features numerous depictions of BDSM activity, and the two main characters of Charles "Chuck" Rhoades, Jr and his wife Wendy Rhoades engage in BDSM scenes numerous times in the early seasons of the show. In addition, season 4 of the show depicts the character of Chuck Rhoades coming out as a practitioner of BDSM in a public political speech. The show's producers retained the services of noted BDSM lifestyle expert Olivia Troy as a consultant to help ensure the activities are portrayed both accurately and safely.[36]
Lawsuits[edit]
Billions has faced several lawsuits regarding both copyright infringement and defamation.
The first, brought by Denise Shull and the ReThink group in 2019 (Shull v Sorkin), alleged (among other things) that Billions ripped off Shull's book and based character "Wendy Rhoades" on her likeness.[66] She also argues that Billions engaged her as a consultant on the show, but did not compensate or credit her for her time,[67] as Shull claims is illustrated in a recently released video.[68] The case was dismissed, but has since been appealed.[69] In July, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court's decision to dismiss the suit, saying that Shull's book and the show are not substantially similar.[70]
The second, brought by the Cayuga Nation in 2020,[71] argued that Billions defamed both the nation and its federal representative.[72] In the show, the nation is depicted engaging in acts such as the illegal operation of a casino business, blackmail, and bribery. One of the Cayuga characters featured on the show had the same last name and occupation as a real-life member.[73] The case was dismissed, but the Cayuga Nation is considering its options regarding appeals.[72]