Billions has captivated viewers with its cast of main characters, from the egotistical Bobby Axelrod (replaced by the equally arrogant Mike Prince in season 6) along with passionate and articulate Chuck Rhoades, cunning and intelligent Wendy Rhoades, calculating and practical Taylor Mason, and hilariously goofy Mike “Wags” Wagner.
But there’s also a strong supporting cast of characters, some of whom are on the right side of the law, some who aren’t, and many who toe the line in such a way that fans don’t know whether to root for or against them. Nonetheless, they are all entertaining to watch.
Orrin Bach
Orrin is as stoic as they come, perfectly portraying a corporate lawyer who gets paid a huge retainer to be on standby whenever a billionaire requires his assistance. And in the case of Axe, that was often. No matter the situation, circumstance, or even how impossible a situation might seem, he finds the right answer and a way out.
He never loses his cool and tells Axe like it is, never sugar-coating anything and always saying yes to whatever Axe wants him to do. If Axe, or any client, pushes back, he has an alternative. It’s no wonder given the exorbitant amount of money he is paid. He’s the perfect guy Axe needed in his corner.
Hall
Every guy like Axe needs a guy like Hall, the unassuming older man who would never otherwise turn heads should he be caught walking down the street. But Hall’s connections, skills, and “don’t care” attitude mean that he’s a dangerous person who can make really bad things happen. Keeping him on the payroll was one of the things that made Axe a genius on Billions.
No matter the project Axe has for him, whether it’s getting dirt on an enemy, intimidating someone, or breaking into somewhere, Hall can and will get it done without batting an eye.
Rebecca Cantu
Rebecca’s first scene was one of the best for a new character on the show, walking into a conference with a group of men who were marveling at a high-tech robot only to embarrass the company by calling out the lack of capabilities of their technology.
She immediately caught Axe’s attention, and while their seemingly great relationship came to a crashing end, she was his perfect match when they were together. There was a lot of potential, but in the end, Axe’s ego got the best of him. Nonetheless, the character was a great one who was just as powerful as Axe yet loved him for who he was.
Lauren Turner
Lauren initially appeared like she might be a difficult hire for Taylor Mason Capital, but she quickly proved her worth as a talented member of the team. While her job ranges from fixing difficult situations to public relations, she is effectively Taylor’s version of Wags.
While she is also secretly (to some) in a relationship with Taylor, one of the wealthiest characters on Billions, Lauren has earned her keep, impressing even Wendy. Her confidence and capabilities make her an asset to the team and a marvel to watch on the show.
Bonnie Barella
Fans love how Bonnie holds her own on the trading floor with other men, being one of the few female traders at Axe Capital, and arguably the most successful. While she makes questionable choices, including having a physical relationship with “Dollar” Bill, she perfectly represents a woman who can successfully pull off being “one of the boys.”
She never seems out of place, is never disrespected by her peers (because she won’t let them), and forged a meaningful bond with Wendy.
“Dollar” Bill Stearn
“Dollar” Bill is deplorable in many ways, secretly having two wives and kids while also sleeping with other women. He has no limits, often even needing to be reined in by Axe or “Wags” because he’d be willing to do things that even they wouldn’t do.
He might not be as confident as he tries to present himself as being, as evidenced when he broke down to Bonnie before his fight with Mafee, or when he felt he was slipping wasn’t yielding positive results at work. Nonetheless, he’s always fun to watch simply because of his impulsive, foul-mouthed, tempered nature.
Ben Kim
Like Mafee, Ben is a sweet, kind trader, and what he lacks in confidence, he makes up in skill. Ben doesn’t possess the same conceited attitude as his co-workers, content to do his job with his head down. He is often, in fact, afraid to speak up, even when he knows he has a good idea.
The episode where Wendy helped him come out of his shell and he began to sing and dance in the elevator with clients was his shining moment. Ben is a long-time reliable employee who would never betray the firm but would likely also never live up to his full potential, only because he holds himself back.
Dudley Mafee
Mafee is one of the smartest characters on Billions, and also arguably the most likable character on the show. He’s a sweet young man who happens to possess a tremendous talent as a trader. He’s wealthy beyond belief but anyone running into him at a bar would never know it. He doesn’t behave with the same arrogance as the other traders, dresses plainly, and is one of the few who treat others, including women, with respect.
Mafee might be immature in some respects, and his lack of a “bad boy” attitude means he is often overlooked. But when the chips are down, he is always there to help and be loyal to those who are loyal to him.
Ari Spyros
Ari is one of the most hilarious characters on the show, shifting from working for the SEC to working for Axe Capital. He is supposed to be ensuring the company does everything above board, but he, too, has become entranced by Bobby Axelrod.
Ari desperately wants to fit in but is often looked down on by his peers, who view him more as a nuisance than an equal. His value to the company is in his inside knowledge of the inner workings of the SEC. He realizes he’s only around because he possesses a specific skill set, yet behaves as though he feels that one day he’ll earn everyone’s respect and be “one of the team.”
Kate Sacker
Technically, Kate is a main character in the series, having appeared since its inception. She is also one of the best characters on Billions. However, in the beginning, she didn’t get as much screen time as the other main characters, and is often only on the peripheral of stories, making her worth including on the list.
Kate embodies the essence of an ambitious young woman who is not only determined to reach the highest levels of her potential but fiercely intelligent and skilled enough to do it. Every move she makes is calculated, impressive, and often the right one. While she is one of the few still hanging on to a moral compass, she also isn’t afraid to weigh the costs versus benefits and make a practical decision she might not like for the sake of the greater good.
