# Billions (2016)

> A U.S. Attorney and a hedge fund king become locked in a ruthless battle of wits over money, power and the law in New York City.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/55844

## Facts

- Seasons: 7
- Episodes: 84
- Episode runtime: 57 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: drama, crime
- Created by: Andrew Ross Sorkin, Brian Koppelman, David Levien
- Network: Showtime
- Cast: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, David Costabile, Toby Leonard Moore, Dola Rashad, Jeffrey DeMunn, Kelly AuCoin
- TMDB rating: 8.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4270492/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: dense
- Violence: none
- Tone: taut, cynical, propulsive, provocative, tense

## What critics say

Acclaimed for its sharp writing and strong lead performances, though its later seasons drew weaker audience ratings.

## Synopsis

Billions (2016-2023) is a US prestige drama series created by Andrew Ross Sorkin, Brian Koppelman and David Levien for Showtime. Shrewd U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and brilliant, ambitious hedge fund king Bobby Axe Axelrod (Damian Lewis) are on an explosive collision course, each using every ounce of his smarts, power and influence to outmaneuver the other. Maggie Siff plays Chuck's wife Wendy Rhoades, a psychologist caught in the middle, while David Costabile and Asia Kate Dillon round out a sprawling ensemble of allies and rivals. The engine of the series is a prosecutor's relentless pursuit of white collar crimes that a hedge fund empire has spent years insulating from the law, with each season unfolding as a serialized run of twelve-episode arcs. Set in present day New York City, the show moves through boardrooms, courtrooms, trading floors and glittering Manhattan penthouses. Its tone is taut, cynical and propulsive, a timely and provocative look at wealth and ambition. Fans of Succession, The Wire and Ozark will find resonance in its power plays, morally compromised protagonists and sharp dialogue. Across seven seasons and eighty-four episodes, the series remains a showcase for its lead performances.

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