By Rick Gables
SHOWTIME will premiere season five of its hit drama series Billions on Sunday, May 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Damian Lewis, the new season cast will include new recurring guest stars Corey Stoll and Julianna Margulies. Bobby Axelrod (Lewis) and Chuck Rhoades (Giamatti) see their vicious rivalry reignited, while new enemies rise and take aim. Social impact pioneer Mike Prince (Stoll) poses a true threat to Axe’s dominance, and Chuck feuds with a formidable district attorney (Roma Maffia). Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon) is forced back to Axe Capital, where Taylor must fight to protect their employees and their assets. Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff) reevaluates her loyalties and forges surprising new alliances that put her at odds with both Chuck and Axe. Margulies will play Catherine Brant, an Ivy League sociology professor and bestselling author. The series also stars David Costabile, Condola Rashad, Kelly AuCoin and Jeffrey DeMunn.
HBO’s new six-episode half-hour series Betty debuts Friday, May 1, at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Dede Lovelace, Moonbear, Nina Moran, Ajani Russell and Rachelle Vinberg, the series follows a diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the predominantly male-oriented world of skateboarding, set against the backdrop of New York City. Opinionated and loyal, Janay (Lovelace) is strong willed and stubborn in ways that both help and hurt her. Honeybear (Moonbear) is a quiet storm. Kirt (Moran) is a lover to the ladies and a fighter to the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Indigo (Russell) is a street-savvy hustler. Camille (Vinberg) is guarded, perceptive, intelligent and awkward.
After a March sneak peek, NBC will premiere its new drama series Council of Dads on Thursday, April 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Family takes on a different meaning in this series when Scott Perry, a loving father of five, has his entire life’s plan thrown into upheaval by an unexpected health scare. He calls on a few of his most trusted friends to step in as back-up dads to help guide and support his growing family, just in case he ever can’t be there to do it himself. The series stars Sarah Wayne Callies, Clive Standen, Tom Everett Scott, along with a very talented supporting cast.
