Damian Lewis raises a smile as he gets back to work filming TV show Billions for the first time since wife Helen McCrory’s death four months ago

• The actor, 50, was back on set for the first time since his bereavement as he got into character as hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod to shoot the Sky show
• Damian announced on April 16 that Helen had passed away aged 52 following a ‘heroic’ battle with cancer, leaving behind their two teenage children
• Helen and Damian married in 2007 after falling in love when they were both cast in the play Five Gold Rings at the off-West End Almeida Theatre back in 2003 

Damian Lewis has been seen back at work filming his TV series Billions three months after the death of his wife Helen McCrory.

The actor, 50, announced on April 16 that his wife had passed away aged 52 following a ‘heroic’ battle with cancer, leaving behind their two teenage children. 

On Tuesday, the star was back on set for the first time as he got into character as hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod to shoot his Sky show in London. 

Back at it: Damian Lewis raised a smile as he gets back to work filming TV show Billions on Tuesday for the first time since wife Helen McCrory’s death four months ago

Heartbreaking: The actor, 50, announced on April 16 that Helen had passed away aged 52 following a ‘heroic’ battle with cancer, leaving behind their two teenage children (pictured 2019)

Lewis put on a brave face as he shot scenes while outside wearing a navy jacket and grey sweatshirt.

The father-of-two was seen chatting with crew members as he filmed season six of Billions, which he has starred in since 2016. 

His co-star Paul Giamatti, who plays ruthless attorney Chuck Rhoades, was also seen on set. 

The hit series follows the pair fractious relationship as they try to outdo each other in the competitive financial market. 

The duo were seen filming surrounded by hoards of extras dressed as New York policemen.  

One to watch: On Tuesday, the star was back on set for the first time as he got into character as hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod to shoot the Sky show in London

Hard at work: Damian put on a brave face as he shot scenes while outside wearing a navy jacket and grey sweatshirt

Catching up: The father-of-two was seen chatting with crew members as he filmed season six of Billions, which he has starred in since 2016

It marked Lewis’ return to work after the loss of his wife of 14 years.  

Damian announced the heartbreaking news that Helen had passed away back in April, sharing a statement on Twitter. 

He penned: ‘I’m heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.

‘She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.’

Delightful duo: His co-star Paul Giamatti, who plays ruthless attorney Chuck Rhoades, was also seen on set

Friends and co-stars: The pair were seen chatting to each other between scenes 

He later revealed his late wife had urged him to find love again just two weeks  before her death, adding she had shown ‘no fear, no bitterness’ and ‘no self-pity.’ 

Writing in The Sunday Times, the actor said Helen told him and their children, daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13, that she wanted ‘Daddy to have lots of girlfriends’.     

He wrote: ‘She has been utterly heroic in her illness. Funny, of course — generous, brave, uncomplaining, constantly reminding us all of how lucky we’ve been, how blessed we are.

Not going his way? Paul looked frustrated as he got into character as the bolshy attorney 

Setting the scene: The duo were seen filming surrounded by hoards of extras dressed as New York policemen

Gesticulating: Damian looked animated as he strolled around the set between takes 

‘Her generosity has extended to encouraging us three to live. Live fully, take opportunities, have adventures. 

‘Only a couple of weeks ago she said to us from her bed, ‘I want Daddy to have girlfriends, lots of them, you must all love again, love isn’t possessive, but you know, Damian, try at least to get though the funeral without snogging someone.’

Damian also wrote of his heartbreak that Helen had left their children ‘too early’ but they have been prepared for life as she taught them to be ‘courageous’. 

Brave face: Damian seemed to be in good spirits as he got back into the swing of things 

Take two: Damian was at the heart of the action as he filmed his scenes 

Keeping busy: Damian strolled around the set with a smile on his face as he took a break between filming his scenes 

He stood by the actress’ side during her illness, with Helen brushing off her hoarse voice in her final TV appearance last month to selflessly talk about their charity work.

The couple’s devotion to one another shone brightly for all to see, with Lewis saying the actress died peacefully at home surrounded by ‘peace and love’ and their children.

Helen, who was awarded the OBE for services to drama in the 2017 New Years Honours, was best known for playing the matriarch Polly in Peaky Blinders and Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. 

Candid: Damian previously revealed his late wife had urged him to find love again just two weeks before her death, adding she had shown ‘no fear, no bitterness’ and ‘no self-pity’

Touching words: The actor said Helen told him and their children, daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13, that she wanted ‘Daddy to have lots of girlfriends’

Courage: Damian also wrote of his heartbreak that Helen had left their children ‘too early’ but they have been prepared for life as she taught them to be ‘courageous’

Her other movie roles included playing MP Clair Dowar in Skyfall and Cherie Blair in The Queen and The Special Relationship.

On television, she appeared in Doctor Who, Inside No 9 and His Dark Materials, and last year appeared in the Hugh Laurie drama Roadkill on the BBC and ITV’s Quiz. 

She also had an accomplished stage career, winning plaudits for National Theatre roles in productions of Medea and Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea.

McCrory was also was nominated for an Olivier for her role as Rosalind in As You Like It in at London’s Wyndham’s theatre in 2006.

Her husband led tributes to the star tonight along with JK Rowling, Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, Cillian Murphy and Kate Beckinsale.

At the end: Lewis had said the actress died peacefully at home surrounded by ‘peace and love’ and their children

Staying strong: Damian has spoken beautifully about his wife’s final moments in interviews given after her death

The actress and Lewis married in 2007 after falling in love when they were both cast in the play Five Gold Rings at the off-West End Almeida Theatre back in 2003. Together they share a daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.

The couple were last seen during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, where they appeared to speak about their charity work for the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Trust Awards.

McCrory and Lewis led fundraising efforts to provide hot meals for NHS staff during the pandemic. Their work led to almost £1million in donations to the Feed NHS scheme, and partnerships with chains including Leon and Wasabi.

Watch Billions, exclusively on Stan in Australia. 

Heartbroken: In April, Damian announced the Peaky Blinders star passed away after a ‘heroic’ battle with cancer

Famous face: Helen, who was awarded the OBE for services to drama in 2017, was best known for playing Polly in Peaky Blinders (pictured) and Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films 

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