Uncover the off-screen lives of the “Billions” cast, as diverse and captivating as a day at Axe Capital (without the ulcers). Gosh we’ll miss this show. Toby Leonard Moore whips up smoothies thicker than Chuck Rhoades’ legal briefs. Paul Giamatti reflects on his character’s disdain for billionaires, a sentiment not unfamiliar in the halls of power. Maggie Siff discusses navigating Hollywood, much like Wendy navigates the treacherous waters of high finance. Malin Akerman’s fitness regime is as varied as Lara Axelrod’s survival strategies. And Condola Rashad, like Kate Sacker, seeks truth in a world full of fiscal deceptions. Keep reading for more.
Toby Leonard Moore played Bryan Connerty on the first four seasons. He shared some of his go-to meals in an interview with Grub Street. “Breakfast was a smoothie with blueberries, mango, spinach, banana, pea protein, apple, Siggi’s vanilla yogurt, and a bunch of ice. I skipped lunch, because that was a big smoothie AND I knew what was coming up: A Billions watch-a-thon advance screening party.”
Paul Giamatti played the leading role of Chuck Rhoades Jr. He talked about the impact the role has had on him to GQ. “It’s probably affirmed things that I felt anyway. I don’t have much fondness for either side of the thing. I probably have less fondness for the billionaires. I think I’m more forgiving of the politicians, in some ways I probably shouldn’t be. The federal attorneys … a lot of those guys really work hard, and they don’t make any money, and they’re trying to do the right thing, a lot of those guys. The money guys, I don’t know. I just don’t have a whole lot of fondness for those guys.“
Maggie Siff played the role of Wendy Rhoades for the entire six seasons. She talked about double standards in the industry with The Sydney Morning Herald. “I never stepped foot into Hollywood until I was already in my 30s. I feel like as I’ve grown into the industry, it has made more room for women at any age. The amount of material is not nearly as voluminous and diverse as it should be. But I do think the industry is making strides towards more voices.”
Malin Akerman played Lara Axelrod on the show’s first three seasons. She shared her fitness secrets with Parade. “I love Obé Fitness. It’s an app that has everything from Pilates and yoga to cardio boxing and dance classes. I like to change it up because some days I feel stronger and want to do weights. Other days, I feel like I need to stretch it out. We have a dog and live close to Griffith Park in Los Angeles, so I also go hiking a lot.“
Condola Rashad played Kate Sacker for the entire show. Her mother is actress, Phylicia Rashad, and she talked about learning from her mom to BlackDoctor.org. “I think the biggest thing that I always learn from my mother is acting can be about pretending or it can be about finding the truth,” she says. “I choose to find the truth in every character. As long as you never go astray from that, you’ve got it. Acting, while it may not always feel easy, is very simple. It’s not complex. It can be hard to do, the same way meditating can be hard to do, but it’s very simple.”
Asia Kate Dillon played Taylor Amber Mason beginning in the second season. Dillon’s character was the first non-binary main character on TV. They talked about the importance of representation to The Guardian. “Visibility for trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people is increasing, and it has increased, thankfully, at a very rapid rate. But there is still so much representation and visibility needed for trans women of colour and gender non-conforming people of colour. For all of the incredible messages I’ve received, about how my visibility is helping people, those people who I follow on social media still receive daily death threats and the most derogatory, inhumane vitriol.”
Kelly AuCoin played “Dollar” Bill Stearn for the entire series. He talked about doing boxing training for the show to The Ringer. “I think the world finally understands the physical and athletic prowess of Dan Soder and myself. It was a blast. The final product might not show this, but we had about a week’s worth of boxing training, and then we spent about a month choreographing the fight, figuring out what the moves were, honing them, simplifying them, to make it look like something real. We didn’t want it to look like we were trying to be goofy.”
Mary Louise Parker played the recurring role of George Minchak. She talked about her approach to beauty to The Bare Magazine. “My heart sinks when I see a woman my age who’s desperately trying to look five years younger. It’s like, I already was forty five, and fifty. I’ve got to have that. It’s a particular race that I don’t choose to enter. I want to be healthy, I want my kids to be proud of me and know they can rely on me. I want the people I love to feel loved. Period. I don’t need much beyond that.”
Julianna Margulies had a recurring role as Catherine Brant. She talked about the importance of working out consistently to TODAY.com. “Some days it’s hard to get going. But it makes me feel better. It makes my mind feel calm and rested. The rest of my day is a piece of a cake if I’ve gone to the gym. Yesterday I took my dog for a two hour walk. I need to do that.”
Piper Perabo played the recurring role of Andy on the last two seasons. She talked about her diet to Into The Gloss. “I started reading a lot about what the great nutritionists eat for breakfast, and one of the nutritionists I like is called Dr. Weil. He said he has fish for breakfast, so I started having fish for breakfast: a broiled piece of salmon with cold green tea and greens. Do yourself a favor and have that for breakfast one day, you feel so good! Super clean protein—it burns evenly so you don’t have that sugar rush, crash, caffeine, rush, crash cycle. You feel good and even for so long. If you have a doughnut and a cup of coffee, you’re going to crash; you’re going to be grouchy.”