Billions: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 188 Ratings

See All

7.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 188 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Billions

Now Playing: Billions

Season Details & Credits

SHOWTIME | Season Premiere Date: January 17, 2016

Starring: Damian Lewis, David Costabile, Malin Akerman

Summary: Hedge fund king Bobby ‘Axe’ Axelrod (Damian Lewis) comes under investigation by U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti).

Creator: Brian Koppelman and David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin

Genre(s): Drama

Watch Now

Stream On

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. The Conversation
Air Date: April 10, 2016
tbd
S1:E11. Magical Thinking
Air Date: April 3, 2016
tbd
S1:E10. Quality of Life
Air Date: March 27, 2016

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jan 22, 2016

Billions is full of itself in a good way, with Giamatti and Lewis dynamically leading the way while a solid supporting cast hangs in with them. The perplexities of stratospheric finance are not easily digested at times. But you’ll never be too far from another scene in which one or the other protagonist hits the spot and makes this latest Showtime series worth both your time and your money. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Jan 15, 2016

Billions isn't a subtle show. Its dialogue can be too on-the-nose, its insistence on contrasting the private lives of its warring alpha dogs too obvious.... What it is, is fun. Axelrod's a dashing hero, who may not be as heroic as he looks; Rhoades is a neurotic bulldog whose pursuit of Axe Capital may actually be in the public interest. Siff and Akerman's characters are as tough as, if not tougher than, the men in their lives. Read full review

Mary McNamara

Jan 19, 2016

They all dance and throw punches in a script fast-paced and brimming with literate wit. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jan 14, 2016

Everything is heightened in an unnatural, soap operatic way. Over time, the mega-talented cast finds a way to ground the characters just enough that we stick with it, and there’s that moment you’ll be waiting all episode for at the end of the premiere when Lewis and Giamatti look each other in the eyes that’s pure gold. Read full review

Emily Todd VanDerWerff

Jan 19, 2016

It's not as good as it wants to be, but it's still just propulsive and ridiculous enough to be entertaining. It's good shitty television, and that's something we all need in our lives. Read full review

Allison Keene

Jan 21, 2016

It is really just a quiet and slow chess match between two men whose fates we aren’t tied to. That leaves us free to enjoy the machinations without being beholden to the side of the crooks or the posse, although it also doesn’t leave us with any stakes. Read full review

Robert Bianco

Jan 15, 2016

What you get is a ham-fisted, irrational, superficially stylish show that thinks it’s saying something when it’s merely bellowing, and thinks it’s taking risks when it’s merely taking liberties. Read full review

SEE ALL 37 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

7.5

User Reviews

Jimmywest

Feb 26, 2017

Great watch, a modern day power struggle. Who's the Alpha? Bobby Axe dominates the screen with the dollar, where as chuck Rhodes is fighting for himself in the name of the American people.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

DakotaFred

Feb 15, 2016

A great show that deserves a MUCH higher rating than a 69. Giamatti, Lewis and supporting cast are all on excellent form here. You've nailed it with this one Showtime!

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

Lhotse5

Feb 6, 2016

The best new show on television ! Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis just nail it in every scene. Also, very strong support from the rest of the cast. I really hope this show gets a long run, in spite of the fact that Giamatti is a very much in demand film star.

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

jonh

Jul 14, 2017

Overall this is a very well done show, with surprising plotlines and outstanding acting by the two main actors, which in my view more than makes up for a number of clunky moments / scenes. I didn't expect to be interested after the initial season, and yet they pulled off another solidlyOverall this is a very well done show, with surprising plotlines and outstanding acting by the two main actors, which in my view more than makes up for a number of clunky moments / scenes. I didn't expect to be interested after the initial season, and yet they pulled off another solidly entertaining season in S2, with some very good new characters, and new twists. Good stuff!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jlungs

Jan 30, 2016

I had high hopes for this new show, perhaps setting the bar a bit high. Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti are top notch, but there is just so much they can do with the lackluster script. The writers attempt to spice things up with a series of over the top sex scenes each trying to out pornI had high hopes for this new show, perhaps setting the bar a bit high. Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti are top notch, but there is just so much they can do with the lackluster script. The writers attempt to spice things up with a series of over the top sex scenes each trying to out porn the other. Enjoyable? Maybe, but necessary? I don't think so. The potential is there, so let's hope the rest of the season picks things up a bit.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Kaustav

Jan 23, 2018

Be very careful for what you wish for. That's what sums of Billions as a show. For it is a show about power fantasy foiling out as a considerably slow that you would expect of a show of its genre and it involves a group of very talented actors who intentionally over-acts their pants off toBe very careful for what you wish for. That's what sums of Billions as a show. For it is a show about power fantasy foiling out as a considerably slow that you would expect of a show of its genre and it involves a group of very talented actors who intentionally over-acts their pants off to the portray the high and mighty of the Wall Street and its adversaries.
It is very ordinary story with a very predictable play out. The overacting is the most its forte - for the fans will love its and the critics will scorn it. Personally, I went out of my way to waste almost 8 hours of my life on this season because it was giving me exactly what I was looking for - An Act. The characters speak with bated breath and gruff tones to let you that they are either rich or in power, all in all that they are or at least want to be in control. It doesn't come off half bad. Watch for the queen of overacts, *coughs* The Psychiatrist *cough* and enjoy this sordid ride that will leave a bittersweet taste in your memory.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

zidangus

Apr 24, 2018

Season 3 is boring, the story is getting repetitive and going nowhere, and the characters are really starting to irritate me, especially Taylor and Axel. The show should have been cancelled after season 2.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 41 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

72

Series Overview
Season 5

73
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: May 3, 2020
Season 4

87
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 17, 2019
Season 3

77
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: March 25, 2018
Season 2

67
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: February 19, 2017
Season 1

69
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 17, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E12. The Conversation
  Air Date: April 10, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E11. Magical Thinking
  Air Date: April 3, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E10. Quality of Life
  Air Date: March 27, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E9. Where the F*ck Is Donnie?
  Air Date: March 20, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E8. Boasts and Rails
  Air Date: March 13, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Punch
  Air Date: March 6, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Deal
  Air Date: February 21, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Good Life
  Air Date: February 14, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E4. Short Squeeze
  Air Date: February 7, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E3. YumTime
  Air Date: January 31, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E2. Naming Rights
  Air Date: January 24, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: January 17, 2016