Showtime has given a series order to drama Billions for a 12-episode first season, it was announced today by David Nevins, President of Showtime Networks Inc. Beginning production later this year, the series will shoot in New York and is slated for a 2016 premiere.
Starring Oscar nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis, the series is a complex and contemporary drama about power politics in the New York world of high finance. Billions is written and executive produced by Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Billions takes an insider look at the world of high finance by tracking the approaching collision between two titanic figures - the hard charging, politically savvy U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Giamatti), and the brilliant, ambitious hedge fund king, Bobby "Axe" Axelrod (Lewis). The cast also includes Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile and Condola Rashad. The pilot was directed by Neil Burger.
"The dynamic star pairing of Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis is matched by an equally exciting team in the writing of this show," said Nevins. "Andrew Ross Sorkin, one of the preeminent financial journalists of our time, has joined forces with Brian Koppelman and David Levin, two of Hollywood's most accomplished screenwriters, to tackle an incredibly timely and buzzy subject. With this caliber of writing and acting, I think the show's authenticity and insider look will have great appeal to a discerning audience."
