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14th February 2017
08:54am GMT

He may not be your typical leading man but he’s excelled when he’s been given the lead role. Just look at his breakout performance in Sideways and his critically-acclaimed turn in John Adams.
Still, you have to love his work as a supporting man. He’s made a career of stealing scenes from under leading men’s noses. Giamatti makes acting look effortless, whether he’s leading the line or part of an ensemble cast.
He may not have matinee idol looks but he more than makes up for it with his screen presence. He’s one of those guys that always stands out when he’s on camera.
Something as simple as a Giamatti scowl is a joy to watch. Those intense eyes and a expressive hangdog face ensure that you can’t take your eyes off him whenever he’s on screen.
Giamatti has acted alongside the likes of Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Spacey, Bill Murray, Ed Norton and Tom Hanks but he’s never been overshadowed.
Other actors must love Giamatti. Even if his name's not on the poster, he makes everyone around him look a little bit better.
He’s played cranky outcasts (American Splendor), demented villains (Shoot ‘Em Up), historical icons (John Adams), callous slave traders (12 Years a Slave), likeable losers (Sideways), memorable soldiers (Saving Private Ryan), conflicted policemen (The Illusionist) and opportunistic record executives (Straight Outta Compton).
Giamatti can do comedy, action and drama films but he’s always utterly believable. He even walked away from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 with some credibility intact, which is really saying something.
Giamatti's transition from Hollywood to TV has been pretty seamless. Instead of diminishing him, he actually seems like an even bigger character on the small screen. In some ways, television actors have the time to really explore a character and he obviously relishes getting underneath the skin of Chuck Rhoades.
Fans of Giamatti will enjoy this latest step in his professional evolution. His character's simmering rivalry with Damien Lewis' Bobby Axelrod reached a crescendo in the finale of the last season and it only promises to escalate in Season 2. So get ready to tune into the upcoming season on Sky Atlantic. If you haven't already watched Season 1, what are you waiting for?
The first series of Billions is available now on Sky Box Sets, so you can catch up before Season 2 lands exclusively on Sky Atlantic on 21 February.
With over 350 box sets to choose from, Sky Box Sets have something for everyone.
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