PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: BILLIONS: SNEAK PEEK AT SEASON TWO, PLUS DISCUSSION {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media in New York. This evening celebrates "Billions," the drama series about a ruthless hedge fund manager and his conflict with a crusading U.S. Attorney. After a series of clips from the upcoming second season, host Maureen Reidy (president and CEO, The Paley Center for Media) introduces Cynthia Littleton (managing editor, Variety).
Littleton moderates the following panelists: executive producers/creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien; and cast members David Costabile (Mike 'Wags' Wagner), Condola Rashad (Kate Sacker), Toby Leonard Moore (Bryan Connerty), Malin Åkerman (Lara Axelrod), Maggie Siff (Wendy Rhoades), Damian Lewis (Bobby Axelrod) and Paul Giamatti (Chuck Rhoades).
The panelists touch on such topics as: the show's resonance with real-life current events, despite their disinterest in trying to "catch up" to reality; the complex "cat and mouse" relationship between Bobby and Chuck and how the otherwise rational characters "needle" one another; sociopaths' ability to compartmentalize emotions and serve as efficient leaders; the characters' "creeping self-awareness" in the second season; Wendy's "existential questioning" and inability to analyze herself as well as she does others; Lara's cunning nature and dissimilarity from Åkerman's real personality; Kate's wealthy background and need to "let herself be ruthless" in order to achieve justice; Bryan's strong sense of integrity and his "Faustian bargain" with Bobby; encounters with opinionated fans, including Moore's strange moment at the Vatican; Costabile's enjoyment in portraying character's amoral behavior; positive audience reactions to the strong, proactive female characters; the comfortable, familiar nature of season two for the actors, compared with season one's "speed-dating quality"; their ability to work together even during delays and other on-set hiccups; Lewis' surprise at the creators' careful planning of the first two seasons even before shooting the pilot; Giamatti's occasional confusion at the overly complicated plots; the importance of determining the show's worldview and presenting the consequences of "idolizing a billionaire"; and hints about new characters in the second season, including appearances by Christopher Denham, Danny Strong, Eric Bogosian and Mary-Louise Parker.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: Lewis' encounters with real-life hedge fund managers and his interest in their competitive natures; how he was "seduced" back into television after departing "Homeland" in 2013; a greeting from Kelly AuCoin, who plays "Dollar" Bill Stearn; the show's depiction of game theory; Giamatti's belief in an actor's need for strong writing and talented co-stars; their use of real financial experts and consultants in shaping the accurate lingo; and why television acting combines the best elements of stage and film.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: N/A
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 128410
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Maureen Reidy … Host
- Cynthia Littleton … Moderator
- David Costabile … Panelist
- Condola Rashad … Panelist
- Toby Leonard Moore … Panelist
- Malin Åkerman … Panelist
- Maggie Siff … Panelist
- Damian Lewis … Panelist
- Paul Giamatti … Panelist
- Brian Koppelman … Panelist
- David Levien … Panelist
- Kelly AuCoin
- Eric Bogosian
- Christopher Denham
- Mary-Louise Parker
- Danny Strong