Damian Lewis has announced his return to hit TV show Billions after two seasons away, as fans have said it “wasn’t the same” without him. The British actor, 52, will reprise the role of hedge fund wizard Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod for the upcoming seventh season.
Announcing the news on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he said: “Bobby’s back. He is coming back.
“Axe is back and it is exciting. He has not been around for a couple of seasons but he is back.”
Asked when exactly his character would return, he replied: “I can’t tell you that.”
US media outlets later reported he would return for around half of the 12-episode series. Axelrod exited the show in late 2021 when viewers saw him fleeing New York and his Wall Street base to escape legal troubles.
US network Showtime said in its description of the upcoming series: “In season seven, alliances are turned on their heads. Old wounds are weaponised. Loyalties are tested.
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“Betrayal takes on epic proportions. Enemies become wary friends. And Bobby Axelrod returns, as the stakes grow from Wall Street to the world.”
Fans have been thrilled with the news of Lewis’ return, with some saying the show “wasn’t the same” without him. Taking to Twitter, @Jayem80 said: “Just wasn’t the same show without him! Legend! This is superb news!”
@kateefeldman echoed: “I kept watching after he left but BILLIONS is just so much better with Damian Lewis in it.”
@sandwedge99 said: “How wonderful. His performances turned our house into big fans of the show. I thought his character’s swagger was a missing ingredient last season.”
@NgindaNganga added: “It’s about to go down! I can’t wait.”
The news comes after Lewis’ wife Helen McCrory, the acclaimed Peaky Blinders actress, died in April aged 52 after a battle with breast cancer. Lewis – who was made a CBE for services to drama and charity last year – is also known for roles in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and Showtime’s Homeland.
A release date for Billions season seven is yet to be confirmed.
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