What’s to Lose for Axe and Chuck in the ‘Billions’ Season 2 Finale?

Billions - Damian Lewis, finale preview
Finale
Jeff Neumann/SHOWTIME
Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti

The grudge match pitting powerful U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) against hedge fund billionaire Bobby “Axe” Axelrod (Damian Lewis) continues. Both make risky moves—including the manipulation of the IPO for natural beverage Ice Juice—that could cause massive damage to one another.

Executive producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien preview what the big boys will face as Season 2 of Billions reaches its conclusion. “The ramifications of the events of the last two episodes will play out long into the future of the show,” Levien teases.

Chuck experiences a huge dilemma. Like many prosecutors, Chuck is jonesing to run for elected office. “Chuck must balance his desire to run with wanting to indict Axe,” says Koppelman.

Cracks are showing at Axe Capital. Employees have suffered mightily for disloyalty—see former big shot Danny Margolis (Daniel Cosgrove), who now works as a cater-waiter. But with Axe’s downfall possible, his top confidants Taylor (Asia Kate Dillon), Wags (David Costabile) and Wendy (Maggie Siff), Chuck’s estranged wife, “have to decide what they’re willing to risk,” Levien says.

Their marriages will be tested. “Chuck may have been trying to remind Wendy why she fell in love with him,” says Koppelman, “but his actions have made
it harder for her to return to him.” And as the law catches up with Axe, his wife, Lara (Malin Akerman), makes a move to protect her own assets.

Billions, Season Finale, Sunday, May 7, 10/9c