When one of Billions‘ main characters, Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), left in Season 5, many suspected it would be temporary. They were right. Showtime has confirmed that Axe will return in Season 7 (albeit only in half of the episodes). Still, what a relief!

Although he said in interviews that he thought the billionaire’s arc was complete in 5 seasons, the actor’s departure was also motivated by personal and very sensitive problems: the sudden death of his wife, actress Helen McCrory, in 2021, caused by devastating cancer. As Billions was shot in New York, this required Damian to be away from his London-based children and he needed (and wanted) to be with his family. Cleverly the showrunners left the door open as Axe, legally cornered by Chuck Rhodes (Paul Giamatti), decides to flee to Switzerland without Wendy (Maggie Siff). Axe’s financial antagonist in his “last” leg, Mike Prince (Corey Stoll) became a series regular and took over Axe’s company.

Even with Corey’s good twists and talent, Billions missed the charisma of its original protagonist. Damian returns in six of the new season’s 12 episodes.

As Billions shows some fatigue, the platform is already working on no less than four future alternatives, transforming the brand into a franchise. The new series will be connected to the original and include the Billions Miami version, Billions London as well as Millions and Trillions.

For the seventh season, already in production in New York, the official description reads that “Alliances are turned upside down. Old wounds are turned into weapons. Loyalties are tested. The betrayal takes on epic proportions. Enemies become wary friends. And Bobby Axelrod returns, as the stakes rise from Wall Street to the world.” Sound good? Of course!