High finance sets stage for conflicts

Tribune News Service

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

In “Billions,” kings clash.

In the new Showtime drama that premieres Jan. 7, a vicious conflict erupts between two men in high finance, one in capitalism and one in regulation. In the process, lots of money – and possibly blood – is spilled.

The drama was one of a host of new shows rolled out at the Summer TCA Press Tour in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

The series was created by producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien (“Ocean’s Thirteen”) and acclaimed financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin (“Too Big to Fail”) and takes place in the world of New York high finance, where the stakes are in the billions.

The story revolves around the conflict between shrewd, savvy U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhodes (Paul Giamatti) and brilliant, ambitious hedge-fund king Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damian Lewis). The two are on an explosive collision course, with each using all of his considerable smarts, power and influence to outmaneuver the other.

Though themes of finance are involved, Levien said the story basically explores the conflict between regulation and capitalism as embodied by two strong-willed men who bow to no one.

Sorkin said his research included the world of hedge funds and government officials. “We really wanted to see who these guys really are, what drives them – it’s about power and pride.”

Lewis, who is returning to Showtime, where he starred in “Homeland,” said: “They can be ruthless.”