How to watch Billions season 5 online: Start time, cast and channel

Watch Billions season 5 online
(Image credit: Showtime)

Let's continue this big game of financial feud and watch Billions season 5 online tonight. The Showtime drama returns for a new season and we're excited because Billions is returning to its root rivalry: Axe vs Chuck.

Billions season 5 kicks off Sunday night with new financial crises, new feuds and new faces. While Bobby Axelrod (Damien Lewis) and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) were allies in season 4, now they've renewed their hostilities. 

Chuck is stewing over the dissolution of his marriage to Wendy (Maggie Siff) and her continuing bond with Bobby — or maybe their friendship will turn romantic? He is also displeased over how Bobby pressured him as Attorney General of New York to take down the brilliant up-and-comer Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon). So, as revenge, Chuck has sent Taylor back to Axe Capital as a mole.

Meanwhile, Bobby isn't too down about his recent breakup, as he celebrates a major milestone. But he knows he'll have to watch out for Taylor, plus he's got a new rival in the form of Mike Prince (Corey Stoll), a business leader with a very different outlook.

As Stoll told Entertainment Weekly, "From our very first scene, we’re sparring. He has that same competitive streak as Axe, but it’s tempered with this drive to do good. There’s a lot of conflict between Prince and other characters, but stronger than that is the fight within himself to reconcile being a capitalist and a good person.”

Billions season 5 start time, channel

The Billions season 5 premiere episode airs Sunday, May 3 at 9 p.m. Eastern today on Showtime

Prince is not the only newcomer to Billions season 5. Former Good Wife star Julianna Margulies also joins the cast as sociology professor Catherine "Cat" Brant, who connects with Chuck when she asks him to guest lecture about his BDSM revelation.

The first seven episodes of Billions season 5 completed production prior to Hollywood's shutdown over the pandemic. They will air this spring. The remaining five will come later this year. 

Here's everything you need to now about watching Billions season 5 online. Plus, watch the trailer below:

How can I watch Billions season 5 online with a VPN?

Just because Showtime isn't available to watch in your country doesn't mean you need to miss out on watching Billions season 5. If you're subject to geo-fenced restrictions, you can watch the Billions season 5 premiere no matter where you are with the help of a virtual private network (VPN).

Our pick for the best VPN is ExpressVPN. It meets all the VPN needs and is easy to use and delivers fast internet speeds, making it simple to set up for streaming in no time at all. It also works on practically any device, starting with iOS and Android and including streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Apple TV. Plus, game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

ExpressVPN

Our favorite VPN service, <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftomsguide%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN, is a top choice for anyone who wants to watch the Billions season 5 premiere. It's got a solid mix of safety, speed and ease-of-use. Plus, you get an extra 3 months free if you sign up for a year. And if you've never used a VPN before and are curious and not sure, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you just want to give it a try.

How to watch Billions season 5 in the US

In the U.S., the Billions season 5 premiere episode airs Sunday, May 3 at 9 p.m. Eastern on Showtime for viewers who subscribe to the premium network through their cable package. Subscribers can also use their login to watch the episode live or on demand on the ShowtimeAnytime app or website.

If you've already cut the cord, you can watch Showtime as an add-on channel on Amazon Prime Video ($10.99 per month) as well as through multiple live TV streaming services including Hulu With Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV and AT&T TV Now.

Of these options, we recommend Hulu, which also offers original programming like The Handmaid's Tale, Devs and Little Fires Everywhere. It's also got a 1-week free trial. YouTube TV is better for those who want to record everything, as it's got an unlimited Cloud DVR. 

Sling is a less expensive option and right now you can watch a lot of its content for free, thanks to with the Happy Hour Across America promotion from 5 p.m. to midnight Eastern.

Sling TV

Not only is <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sling TV the more affordable of the two services, but it's even more affordable right now, as Sling's chopped 33% off its first month's bill. Of course, though, Sling doesn't include Showtime by default, so you'll need to pay extra for it, as an add-on.

Hulu + Live TV

<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1584493&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hulu.com%2Flive-tv&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - hulu.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hulu + Live TV offers dozens of channels, including Showtime as an add-on. The Hulu streaming service also comes with acclaimed original shows like The Handmaid's Tale, The Act and Mrs. America. It's also got ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 24x7 news networks including CNN, FOX News and MSNBC. Hulu's Live TV service is currently offering a 1-week free trial.

How to watch Billions season 5 in the UK

The good news is that British fans can watch Billions season 5 on Sky Atlantic. The bad news is that there is no UK premiere date yet. If you can't wait and want to watch it at the same time and day as everyone else, check out ExpressVPN.

How to watch Billions season 5 in Canada

If you're in Canada, you can watch Billions season 5 at the same day and time as the U.S., so Sunday, May 3 at 9 p.m. on the streaming service Crave. You can also add on Showtime as a channel on most major Canadian TV providers.

How to watch Billions season 5 in Australia

Aussie fans, you can also watch Billions season 5 on the same day as the U.S. debut. You just need to subscribe to the streaming service Stan. Check out their 30-day free trial.

Billions season 5 cast

All three lead actors are back for Billions season 5: Damien Lewis as hedge fund billionaire Bobby "Axe" Axelrod, Paul Giamatti as NY Attorney General Chuck Rhoades and Maggie Siff as Axe Capital performance coach Wendy Rhoades.

Also returning are:

  • Asia Kate Dillon as Taylor Amber Mason -- analyst at Axe Capital who formed Taylor Mason Capital
  • David Costabile as Mike "Wags" Wagner -- COO of Axe Capital
  • Jeffrey DeMunn as Charles Rhoades, Sr. -- Chuck's wealthy and politically connected father
  • Condola Rashād as Kate Sacker -- an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York.
  • Toby Leonard Moore as Bryan Connerty -- Chuck's former protege at the U.S. Attorney's office
  • Kelly AuCoin as "Dollar" Bill Stearn -- a portfolio manager at Axe Capital

As for other characters who've made recurred or made appearances in the past, some who may show up in season 5 include:

  • Malin Åkerman as Lara Axelrod -- Bobby's ex-wife
  • Malachi Weir as Lonnie Watley -- AUSA
  • Terry Kinney as Hall -- a fixer on Axelrod's payroll
  • Glenn Fleshler as Orrin Bach -- Axe's lawyer
  • Stephen Kunken as Ari Spyros -- head of compliance at Axe Capital
  • Jerry O'Connell as Steven Birch -- a rival hedge fund manager
  • Christopher Denham as Oliver Dake -- U.S. Attorney for Eastern New York
  • Daniel K. Isaac as Ben Kim -- Axe Capital employee
  • Rob Morrow as Adam DeGiulio -- judge in the Southern District of New York
  • Matt Servitto as New York Governor Bob Sweeney

And here are the new Billions season 5 cast members:

  • Julianna Margulies as Catherine Brant: Ivy League sociology professor and bestselling author
  • Corey Stoll as Michael Prince -- business leader
  • Roma Maffia as Mary Ann Gramm -- District Attorney of Manhattan
  • Daniel Breaker as Scooter Dunbar -- Michael Prince's right-hand man
  • Frank Grillo as Nico Tanner -- a modern artist
  • Rick Hoffman as Dr. Swerdlow
  • Becky Lynch as herself

Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.