Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife

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WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Wolf Hall.

Wolf Hall's second season is on the horizon and fans are eager to learn more about the award-winning actor Damian Lewis ahead of its release.

It's been nine years since the historical BBC drama Wolf Hall first graced our screens, leaving viewers clamouring for more following the execution of Anne Boleyn (portrayed by Claire Foy).

As we eagerly await the arrival of the second series, let's delve into the life of one of the show's biggest stars, 53-year-old Damian Lewis.

Early life

Born in 1971 on Abbey Road, London, Lewis spent his early years with his parents and three younger siblings until he was sent to Ashdown House boarding school at the age of eight.

Lewis continued his education at Eton College, where, at 16-years-old, he formed his own theatre company, The Chameleons.

After Eton, the star took a gap year to travel around Africa before returning to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for three years.

He began his acting career in theatre, performing in Moliere's School For Wives at the Almeida, Hamlet at the Open Air Theatre, and made his Broadway debut in Ralph Fiennes' Hamlet in 1995.

He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and received the Ian Charleson Award, given for the best classical stage performances in Britain by actors under 30, for his portrayal of Borghejm in Little Eyolf.

Inside Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life from reason behind Billions exit to heartbreaking death of Peaky Blinders star wife (Image: BBC)

Actor Damian Lewis' wife Peaky Blinders star Helen McCrory died of breast cancer in 2021 aged 52 (Image: GETTY) Onscreen success

Lewis' breakthrough role came in 1999 with the drama Warriors, followed by his portrayal of Major Richard "Dick" Winters in the acclaimed HBO and BBC series Band Of Brothers, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination and catapulted his career to new heights.

He went on to appear in notable shows and films, including The Forsyte Saga, Keane, Life, Sweeney, Homeland, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and A Spy Among Friends.

Billions exit

Lewis' role as Bobby Axelrod in the Showtime and Sky drama Billions was a defining one, but he exited the show after five seasons.

In an interview with the New York Times, he revealed that his contract had always been set for five seasons, and he chose not to renew it with his departure planned from the very beginning.

At the time, Lewis explained: "It's difficult to keep mining, creatively. I always just assumed that [five seasons] would be enough."

Depression

In 1998, Lewis was involved in a motorcycle accident after a performance of Much Ado About Nothing in London, when he was struck by a taxi with the blow knocking him unconscious.

Although physically unharmed, Lewis has spoken about experiencing symptoms of depression in the months that followed.

In an interview with The Telegraph, he shared, "I've suffered from concussion myself from a motorbike crash.

Actor Damian Lewis left Billions after five seasons as Bobby Axelrod (Image: SHOWTIME) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Actor Damian Lewis played Nicholas Brody in Homeland before his exit in season three. (Image: SHOWTIME)

“I spent three months afterwards getting into needless fights and suffering from bouts of depression, unable to watch TV or read because of migraines.

“I would often not get dressed and just do puzzles in my flat.”

Tragic loss

Lewis met actress Helen McCrory in 2003 while working on Five Gold Rings at London’s Almeida Theatre and got married four years later. The pair went on to have two children, Manon, who is now 18, and Gulliver, aged 16.

However, Helen, who is best remembered for portraying Polly Gray in BBC’s Peaky Blinders, died of breast cancer at their home in April 2021, aged 52.

Speaking to The Guardian about her death, Lewis shared: "Until the moment of death you're fully engaged in living the best possible life that can be lived for the person dying, and for you as a family and for the children.

"Death is oddly ecstatic. Along with birth, it's the ultimate act of life, and it brings this enormous energy to it. And you carry that energy around with you.

"However deep and profound your sadness, a new beginning always has an energy to it."

Wolf Hall season two premieres on Sunday, November 10, at 9pm on BBC One.

Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife

Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife

Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife

Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife

Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis' life off-screen from depression to tragic loss of famous wife