Damian Lewis fans vow to flock back to Billions as star's return is confirmed

Damian Lewis fans have been sharing how pleased they are to hear the star is returning to drama Billions, with many vowing to start watching it again for his comeback.

The actor had played the lead role of dodgy dealing hedge fund manager Bobby "Axe" Axelrod in US drama Billions since it began in 2016, but exited two seasons ago.

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Announcing his return on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Lewis 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.”

It has since been confirmed that Lewis will appear as Axe in six of the next 12 episodes of the show, which will be season seven of the Wall Street-set drama.

One thrilled fan tweeted: "This is amazing news. Bobby Axelrod has to be one of the most iconic TV characters of the past decade. So glad Damian Lewis is back."

Someone else added: "Omg waking up to this omg!!! SIX EPISODES?! Here I thought he’d only make one cameo, I’m so freaking happy omg, BOBBY IS BACK!!!"

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Another fan agreed: "Axe return better not be a short cameo on Billions, he needs to be back for good to end the show properly."

Axe was last seen fleeing New York after landing in legal trouble over his actions, in scenes that aired in April 2021 - around the time that Lewis lost his wife, Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory, to cancer aged 52.

Some of his fans added that they had been put off watching Billions without him in it, but planned to return to the show with him.

One person tweeted: "Okay, I’ll start watching again."

Someone else agreed: "Axe is bak. @SHO_Billions haven’t watched ever since he left. Great news!"

Another fan wrote: "Billions without Axe wasn’t the same. Him being back will be great!"

Commenting on the welcome news, one fan tweeted: "I kept watching after he left but BILLIONS is just so much better with Damian Lewis in it."

Someone else wrote: "Axe is back . 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."

Billions season seven, which also stars Paul Giamatti, Corey Stoll and Maggie Siff, is currently in production in New York and previous seasons are available to stream on Paramount+.