Happy Fackham Birthday, Damian!

Today Damian Lewis turns double nickels, 55! Happy Birthday Damian, from the Fan Fun with Damian Lewis Team and all the fandom around the world! Every January the Team begins contemplating what we can do differently to celebrate Damian’s birthday and year after year we strive to be creative and unique. In 2022 we baked and decorated 51 Birthday Cakes, in 2023 we mixed 52 Celebratory Cocktails, in 2024 we dedicated 53 songs to him by other artists, and in 2025 we picked 54 of our favorite Damian Lewis songs. We’ve been bakers, we’ve been mixologists, and we’ve been DJs. Now it’s time to play Critics Choice by picking our favorite Damian Lewis character from television, film, or theatre.

We planned, conspired and mobilized the fandom in the back channels of Twitter (X), Instagram or Facebook DM’s, as well as e-mail, to accomplish this secret project. With our idea set in motion the goal remained the same…to bring a smile to Damian’s face. The task was simple: choose your favorite Damian Lewis character he’s ever played and tell us why.

Fans picked their favorite Damian Lewis character, along with a virtual message to the birthday boy and now we’re sharing their picks with all of you.

Read along with us as we share photos/videos of each favorite character, the fan’s name and location, and reason for choosing the particular character. And can I just say that we are in awe of the fans’ creativity and generosity. Some participants have put a lot of work into this and we are so moved.

Oh, and there is a surprise at the very end waiting for you. On behalf of the entire Fan Fun with Damian Lewis Team, we want to thank all those who participated.

Let’s get started.

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Damianista
Location: Durham, North Carolina – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Nicholas Brody is my favorite character ever because he was beautifully, painfully human. He was messy, conflicted, and often completely lost. He wasn’t easy to love at first, but he slowly worked his way under my skin and stayed there. His vulnerability, his love for his daughter, and his constant search for redemption made him feel so real. Thanks to Damian Lewis’ brilliant acting, Brody was never just a character on Homeland—he was someone I cared about far more than was probably reasonable.

After Brody “died,” I did what any perfectly reasonable adult would do: I started a blog 🙂 I wanted closure after the finale—I wanted Carrie to cry more so I could cry harder—but closure rarely arrives neatly. And you can find mine a bit messy and maybe crazy but it is what it is.

Yes — for the record — Brody is alive in Iran.

He’s living quietly.
He’s gardening.
He meditates sometimes.
He finally sleeps through the night.
He is no one’s poster boy.
No one’s weapon.
No one’s project.

And he has found new love. Her name is Bahar, a perfectly legitimate Persian name, and yes, she looks exactly like me.

I even shared this entirely sensible fantasy with Damian after his gig in Leeds while he was signing my favorite Brody photo. He probably thinks I’m a basket case (fair), which may explain why he signed it, “Bahar, you’re my Carrie.”

To be honest, without Brody there would have been no Fan Fun: no fan community, no trips, no friendships, no inside jokes, no accidental life journey. I still can’t watch the execution scene and probably never will, but these days the grief has been replaced with gratitude—because that heartbreak, ridiculous as it sounds, changed my life, and I’m completely okay with that.

Happy 55th Birthday, Damian. And thank you.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Gingersnap
Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Choose your favorite character Damian has ever played, she said. Easier said than done, I said. So I went back and forth among Soames Forsyte, Bobby Axelrod, and Charlie Crews.

Soames because Damian’s portrayal of the character’s deep, often suffocating love and inner turmoil, made Soames less despicable despite his difficult nature. Damian makes you almost feel sorry for the complex and possessive man. But it’s no secret Damian can play emotional repression better than any other actor on the planet. It’s what cemented Damian’s status as a versatile actor.

Bobby because Billions is where I discovered THE Damian Lewis. Bobby is loyal, ambitious, intelligent, successful, and confident. Every attribute that gives me a lady zinger.

But you know who else is loyal, intelligent, and confident? Charlie Crews! So I chose Charlie Crews as my favorite Damian Lewis character. He’s just so lovable, charming, quirky, and funny. I dig a confident alpha who’s loyal as a dog, smart as a whip, and funny as a barrel of monkeys. Damian played Charlie Crews, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, on the American drama series Life from 2007-2009. Stripped of his badge and his innocence, Charlie is wrongfully incarcerated at Pelican Bay. To cope he reads The Path to Zen, leading to his adoption of a zen Buddhist outlook before being exonerated with a substantial settlement from the LAPD.

The premise of the show is rooted in Charlie’s inner conflict between following Buddhism principles vs. seeking retribution for his unjust imprisonment. For example, when he was on the struggle bus about the purchase of his new, expensive car: “I am not attached to this car; I am not attached to this car.”

Charlie’s intense enjoyment of fresh fruit in each episode is hilarious. Prisoners were not afforded fresh fruit so he eats fruit constantly and even bought an orange grove. The orange grove appears in the pilot episode and the finale, representing a bookended journey to his connection with nature and a simple life, which contrasts his dark past.

He even had his very own personal pineapple:

Fun fact: when we baked cakes to celebrate Damian’s 51st birthday, the cake I chose was a Charlie Crews pineapple, complete with fruit-shaped candy called Runts.

Sadly, Life had a short run. But not because of ratings. Average rating was an 8.3/10! The series was impacted by the Writers Guild strike, disrupting its momentum and making it harder to build a consistent audience. You can watch Life on streaming services such as Roku Channel (for free), Peacock (free with subscription), YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

Have a very happy 55th birthday, Damian! May you be surrounded by family and friends who celebrate you today.

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Lady Trader
Location: Long Island, New York – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I don’t think it would come as a surprise to anyone who has read this blog for more than a minute that my favorite character that Damian has played would be Robert Axelrod!

Bobby “Axe” Axelrod is a character (besides Eliza Dolittle) that I related to like no other character I have ever encountered in books, television, or film.

When I started my “From the Trader’s Desk” Friday recaps, it was initially to explain some of the “fin-speak” on the show and to give a Wall Street lifer’s perspective of the deals and trades that were going down on Billions.

However, something interesting happened along the way while watching and dissecting the show; as we got to know Axe, I started seeing similarities between this character and my own life. We both had trading in our blood, we both got our love for said trading from gambling backgrounds, both were born of working class environments in New York, both unapologetic Milton Friedman (also born in Brooklyn of working class upbringing) capitalists, and best of all? Both heavy metal junkies! Axe was basically the red headed stepbrother I never had. And being able to write about and take guesses at Axe’s next heavy metal shirt was icing on the cake.

Axe was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination (I still have not forgiven him for what he did to Rebecca!) but I understood him. Even my very first post here on Fan Fun was “In Defense of Bobby Axelrod” so I think it was early on that I felt that Axe and I were kindred spirits.

I want to wish Damian the happiest of happy birthdays. Thank you for sharing your art, where it be acting or music, with the world and making it just a little brighter.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Holliedazzle
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favorite character is the one that started it all for me-Charlie Crews ❤️ his zen, his quest for justice, his love of fresh fruit…there’s so much to adore about this quirky character.

Favorite Character: Lord Davenport
Name: Lewisto
Location: Durham, North Carolina – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Happy Birthday to the Master of Fackham Hall! Wishing a magnificent birthday to my absolute favorite Damian Lewis character: the incomparable Lord Davenport.

Looking at him, I’ve realized my true calling. This year, I’m manifesting the “Davenport Dream.” I no longer wish to be “productive” or “informed.” Instead, I am wishing for a life of pure, unadulterated Edwardian absurdity.

My goals for the year ahead:

• To become absurdly helpless, requiring a footman to scratch my chin and hold my tea.
• To be so dim-witted and ignorant that I completely miss the chaos of the world around me.
• To achieve a level of unobservant bliss where I don’t even notice if I’m accidentally choking on a scone.
• And, of course, to maintain those magnificent hair-horns and a mustache that screams “I haven’t lifted a finger in 400 years.”

Here’s to a life of high status and zero brain cells. If Lord Davenport can do it, why can’t I?

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Paul B. (TheTailThatWagsTheDog)
Location: Washington D.C., Maryland – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Wishing Damian Lewis a very Happy Birthday and to thank him for my favorite character Bobby Axelrod. This was a tough call because Brody from Homeland was such an outstanding character, but in the end, I had to stick with Billions hedge fund manager Bobby. At times, Bobby was both honorable and despicable and that’s because he was played to perfection by Damian. The lines he got to deliver and the scenes he got to perform was some of the best television I’ve ever seen. So Happy Birthday, Damian and I hope you still have some of that F-U money to enjoy.

Favorite Character: Nicholas McGrade, Colditz
Name: Lyn
Location: Kansas City, Kansas – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: One of my favorite classic era movies is 1942’s This Above All. The main character is Clive Briggs, a World War II soldier who deserted after fighting in the Battle of Dunkirk. He wasn’t a coward. Far from it. He struggled with fighting for a country whose political system oppressed the poor. With the help of his WAC upper class love, Prue, his journey took him from desertion to reconciling his conscience, enabling him to fight for England as a people. He transformed into a soldier to realize the threat wasn’t the aristocracy but the Nazis. After the war, he could work to improve the system.

Colditz has a similar theme, with a twist. There were no heroes in this story, certainly not Jack Rose. Jack Rose was dishonorable, entitled, arrogant, and, in the end, cruel. He was dishonorable when he jumped the queue and took his superior officer’s slot in the order of escape attempts. He was arrogant and entitled to expect that a girl with whom he had a 3-week romance should be bound to him, no matter how long they were separated. No matter how her life had become entwined with another man. And, he was cruel when he inserted himself in a place where there was no room for him, and it ended with her witnessing the violent death of the man she loved.

But there was an antihero who, despite his flaws, was truly captivating.  He wasn’t admirable in any sense of the word, but he was complex and mesmerizing. Nicholas McGrade was a disenfranchised soldier who felt that he had been dragged into a war that wasn’t his to fight.  Like Clive, he was a member of the lower working class. Rather than refuse to fight, as Briggs did, he used the system from within, for his own purposes. Nicholas wasn’t fighting against his conscience; he was fighting for his own personal desires and ambition.

McGrade wasn’t inherently evil. He was hungry for life and used the chaos of war and his position at MI9 to seize what he had been denied by his station in life. Upon becoming a Lieutenant, he received respect for the first time.  His love for a woman was returned, when it never would have been had “luck” not intervened. Clive Briggs was loved almost from the moment the flickering cigarette glow showed his handsome face to Prue. Nicholas had to win his love by cunning and deceit. But he did win her love, and it became a melding of the souls.

As much as I love the This Above All character, I love Nicholas more. I didn’t admire Nicholas, but I loved his passion for life. His cunning. The twinkle in his eye. The way he flirted with the girl, danced with her, and eventually captured her heart. He wasn’t noble in the same way as Clive Briggs, but he was brash, fiery, and ravenous for life. He was willing to burn the system to the ground to meet his ends.

I understand why the screenwriters ended the series with a bullet to Nicholas’s head. His misdeeds cost lives. He had to pay. The story had to end cleanly, and it did. But I can’t help but yearn for a different ending. For a chance at some kind of redemption. Something more along the lines of This Above All that ended somewhat ambiguously but offered hope and the admonition to “thine own self be true.” The complexity of his crimes would require deep, creative thinking to end more hopefully. But I prefer the possibility of redemption. That bullet took that away, and, sadly was the system’s method of reasserting control.  Meanwhile the other character, Jack Rose, ended up trying to pick up the pieces of his romance with a girl that he almost destroyed, when he should have been court martialed for cowardice in the face of the enemy.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Debbie P.
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Happy Birthday, Damian! My favorite character is Major Richard D. Winters in Band of Brothers. My father was in the 82nd Airborne during World War II and rarely spoke of his time as a soldier. Damian’s realistic portrayal of the character gave me insight into what my father experienced during that time. Thank you, Damian.

Favorite Character: King Henry VIII, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light
Name: Natalya W.
Location: United Kingdom
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Happy 55th Birthday, ‘Your Majesty!’ Why Henry VIII among a number of remarkable, unforgettable work Damian has done? Because despite a very serious mistake made by BAFTA in 2025 (and 2015!) by not awarding Damian Lewis for this role (Boooo.. Bafta!), he has mine, and I know for sure a huge number of others’, well-deserved award of public recognition. Adding to that his and Henry VIII’s common interests and accomplishments in poetry/lyrics writing, music composing, sports, and, I’ve read, dancing too – well, what a guy!
Happy birthday, Damian! And thank you for the joy of witnessing your captivating work over the years.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Cheryl F.
Location: Bolivar, Missouri – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I first discovered Damian Lewis as Dick Winters in Band of Brothers, one of my favorites. This role sparked my interest in Damian and led me to the show Life and the character Charlie Crews. This show is my go-to when I have Damian withdrawals and I’m currently rewatching it for the umpteenth time! In the game Marry, Shag, Banish, Charlie Crews is my choice for both marry and shag, hands down.

While rewatching this show, I’m particularly struck by Charlie’s empathy towards victims’ families, how he relates to children, and his genuine concern and loyalty for those close to him. After warning Constance to drop a client and that client attacked her, he didn’t say “I told you so,” he just held her and said it would be okay. Then there is the quirky and charming side of our fruit loving Charlie with his personal pineapple and his “Zenish” moments that never fail to make me smile.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Fay O.
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I have been a fan of Damian since 2002 when I saw him in the Forsyte Saga, followed very closely after that by the Band of Brothers and I was hooked. I followed his career ever since. My favorite character is, and will always be, Major Dick Winters because it’s personal. Both my dad and my uncle were World War II vets and I think his performance of Dick Winters was spot-on and a great tribute to the man, as was the whole series, a great tribute to the Company and those men. I’ve watched it every year for 23 years on Memorial Day weekend and I’ll be watching it again this year. So Damian, as long as you continue to find joy and fulfillment in acting and singing for us, I’ll continue watching and listening to you. I wish for you many, many more years of happiness, good health, and heartwarming moments with those that you love. Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Monique
Location: Landgraaf, Netherlands
He’s My Favorite Character Because: What a difficult assignment. How do you pick your favorite character of an actor you admire and is so talented? It is close to impossible. Homeland was the first series I saw with Damian. That was were it all began for me. I was blown away by that character and have been a fan of Damian since. And I’ve watched many movies and series since. So there is a lot to choose from. But I think my favorite role of Damian is Bobby Axelrod. First of all it was filmed in New York, my favorite city in the world. And I enjoyed the series very much. The never ending battle between Bobby and Chuck, the great writing, the complex relations it was all fantastic to watch. I’m not very familiar with the financial world but all the great reviews by Bahar and all the posts with explanations by Lady Trader made it possible for me to get what was going on the financial level, I appreciated that. I really enjoyed the show and in season 6, Bobby was really missed. Season 7 is the season I loved the most, Bobby was back and you could feel there were going to be some great plot twists and fireworks. Episode by episode the pieces of the puzzle came together. And episode 10 of season 7 is my all time favorite episode. Bobby back in the US and standing in his Slayer T-shirt and his leather jacket between people in their fancy evening wear, I loved it so much! When I visited New York, Bahar took me to the Lincoln Centre where the episode was filmed. I wished I could have been there during filming. I envy Bahar for being able to visit some of the shootings for Billions The fact that the show didn’t have the romantic happily ever after ending made it complete. Bobby had several sayings and Bahar recently quoted one of them: you have one life, so do it all. A good quote to live by!

Happy birthday to you Damian, I hope you have a wonderful day.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Paige S.
Location: New Jersey – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: It’s so tough to pick a fave role for you, Damian. I always say “Band of Homelifers.” But I will pick on this occasion, and I have to go with Second Lieutenant/First Lieutenant/Captain/Major Richard Winters. You were at the heart of a very important story that generations got and will continue to know through Band of Brothers. Talk about a gift. I hope you have an exceptional birthday!

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Lourdes (@la_loulu on X)
Location: Peru – South America
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I wasn’t fortune to meet my grandfather properly. He was a Maj. of my country’s army, and more than the fact that he fought in a war, the thing that struck me, from my mom’s stories about him, was that he really cared about his soldiers and was a leader, not only in authority, but in empathy. When I watched Damian’s portrait of Maj. Winters, I felt the sense of honor and respect that my mom always used to talk about my grandfather and how he treated those under his command. I barely remember my grandfather, and that makes me sad, but thanks to the work of Damian, his empathy and talent to portrayal of Maj. Winters as a proper leader who represents honor more than just another war archetype throwing words around, I felt closer to my grandfather. I thank Damian for his work as an actor, as valuable as bridge to get people together, in unimaginable ways, and wish him a very happy birthday.

Favorite Character: Nicholas Elliott, A Spy Among Friends
Name: Marina K.
Location: Italy
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I adore a lot of characters of Damian, but nowadays I prefer Nicholas Elliott. I’d describe my favorite character of Damian Lewis with the words of Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends: “Nicholas Elliott was the most charming, witty, elegant agent I ever knew…he also seems the most enigmatic. He was a bon viveur of the old school. Always in a neatly tailored dark three-piece suit with impeccable Etonian manners.” Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Howard Davies, Dream Horse
Name: Denise S. aka The Knitting Witch
Location: Bridgend, South Wales – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: A tribute to the talented man, himself. Damian’s characters and parts he has played are all wonderful. Hence, my knitted tribute below. The writers and casting directors who choose Damian in each of his roles couldn’t have had a better actor! My two favourite roles Damian has portrayed are the ones based on real people…Major Dick Winters of Band of Brothers and Howard Davies of Dream Horse. Sending birthday wishes and a very happy St. David’s Day to come!

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Rita J.
Location: Vaux-sur-Sûre, Belgium
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Damian is a phenomenal actor. He was the perfect choice to play Major Richard Winters in Band of Brothers. He was also excellent as Sergeant Nicolas Brody in the fictional series Homeland. He is such a good actor and extraordinary singer. Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to meet him. Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Paul Reynolds, Friends & Crocodiles
Name: Darlene B.
Location: North Carolina – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: One of my favorite characters that Damian has portrayed is Paul Reynolds from the movie Friends & Crocodiles. He plays an eccentric boss who has an ever-changing and sometimes difficult relationship with his secretary. Over the decades, their successes and failures flip flop. I found this film very interesting and probably the most relatable to my own life than anything else Damian’s ever done. I love him as a soldier, but love this totally different view he’s given to us. Happy 55th, Damian!

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Christine W.
Location: Antrim – Northern Ireland
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I chose, perhaps predictably, Major Dick Winters from Band of Brothers as my favourite character. Although I was already a fan of Damian Lewis when the series was released, Band of Brothers truly solidified my admiration for him. Damian’s portrayal of Winters, a man of few words, was masterful. A lesser actor might not have captured the depth and impact of the character, but Damian’s ability to convey so much through subtle gestures—like a half-smile, a raised eyebrow, or a look of disbelief—was remarkable. His performance embodied bravery, leadership, and compassion with an impressive stillness, making it a true acting masterclass in the power of restraint.

I also appreciated the relationships between Winters and his men throughout the series, particularly the poignant interviews with the real-life veterans. These moments often left me brushing away tears during the sad parts or fist-pumping when things went right. The series inspired me to write Meeting Damian Lewis, a creative endeavour that originated from a night of plotting with a friend at a pub.

Anyway, happy birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Connie A.
Location: New Jersey – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favorite Damian Lewis portrayal is of Richard D. Winters. Band of Brothers was my introduction to both Damian and Major Winters. It seemed to me that these two men had vastly different personalities. Yet Damian’s depiction of this distinguished gentleman demonstrated his tremendous ability to embody a character and bring him to life for an audience. I had the honor of meeting Major Winters in September 2004 at a military event in Pennsylvania. Years later, after his passing in 2011, I also attended his memorial service. Happy Birthday to you Damian, and thank you for bringing us Dick Winters, and for your many projects that have enriched our world.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Nancy B.
Location: Chicago, Illinois – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favorite character is CHARLIE CREWS!!! I love his quirkiness and innocent outlook on all that he missed out on while in prison. The zen and fruit obsessions make me laugh as much as they annoy Reese! In the background is the simmering desire for vengeance and to solve the mystery of his imprisonment. But it’s controlled and then the quirkiness returns. I could have watched many more seasons of Life but then we would not have had Homeland and I never would have discovered Damian. Happy Birthday from Nancy in Chicago!

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Lily
Location: Finger Lakes, New York – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I chose Axe from Billions. I love how all the characters on this show were written in a grey area. Both bad and good and not your stereotypical characters.

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Carol N.
Location: Central California – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Hello Damian, Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I’m the one who knitted you the scarf I gave to you at the New York interview 11 years ago. My favorite show, of course, is Homeland. I have re-watched it numerous times, but then again, I never watch when you die in it. I also have your CD and your music, so I hope you come back to the States. If you’d like another scarf, tell Bahar the color and I will gladly knit it for you. Happy Birthday, mwah.

Favorite Character: MI6 Agent Hector Meredith, Our Kind of Traitor 
Name: Brigitte V.
Location: French Alps – France
He’s My Favorite Character Because: This is one of my favorite characters! Very difficult to choose one, but Hector is one of my fav! Bright with a few emotional flaws, difficult to read but you can’t help but become attached to the character…loyal to his principles and determined to battle the authorities, Damian Lewis is perfect as an MI6 agent, and perfect to interpret a John Le Carré Character!

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Tsvete
Location: London, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favourite character is Brody. Everyone would agree that he is the heart of Homeland. Period. I’ve never seen a character so complex, so deeply layered. His harrowing memories, the trials he endured, his love for his family, his love for Carrie, and the impossible choices he was forced to make are delivered with such a brilliance and beauty. If, for a moment, I imagine that Brody is a real person, but not a fictional character, I would want him by my side — so I could measure my own values against his and learn from his faith. I don’t see him as damaged. He has been through hell, and he must know what truly matters in life.

I’ll tell you a trick. When I watch the death scene of a character, whom I love, that coping trick automatically switches on: I start thinking about how the scene was shot, what the actor was feeling, thinking and trying to convey, and what the director intended. That’s how I ease the pain.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Nicky L. (MechanicGurl04)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Dick Winters was one of history’s greatest leaders and was loved by the entire Easy Company. “Hang Tough” Currahee! Happy Birthday, Damian.

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Eleanor O.
Location: New York – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I love the character Bobby Axelrod because he is loving, cruel, generous, vindictive, tender, monstrous, thoughtful, and overbearing. I’d take him anyway. Damian Lewis will always be in my heart. Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Nicolas Brody, Homeland
Name: Beverley
Location: Durham, North East of England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Watching Homeland for the first time i was in awe. Seeing Damian portray Sergeant Brody was remarkable. His character had been through so much. Seeing Damian play such a conflicted character was so compelling. Damian Lewis is always a joy to watch and his character in Homeland will always have a special place in my heart.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Cynthia C.
Location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I’ve never ceased to be in awe at the way a young London actor managed to capture the courage, leadership, humility, patriotism, and sense of honor and duty displayed by a young Army Lt. from Pennsylvania on the front lines of the war in Europe. It’s a testament to Damian’s acting powers that we fully believe in him as a leader of those Easy Company paratroopers. Those qualities that Richard Winters embodied throughout his life are what we seek in our country’s leaders in 2026. It’s a good time to re-watch BoB for a “booster shot” to remind us what true patriotism and leadership looks like.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Hannah P.
Location: Australia
He’s My Favorite Character Because: The character who is my favourite is called Charlie from the TV show called Life Charlie is funny and full of life and he never gives up. That’s why i picked him.

Favorite Character: Whodunnit Guest Inspector
Name: Stefanie (@brandiwein1982 on X)
Location: Germany
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favourite character of Damian, maybe not the most obvious one, I mean, hello Charlie Crews, is an unnamed Inspector. It’s live, it’s a stage, it’s Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3 from April 2024 at the wonderful Park Theatre in London! Not only because of the funny story or the interpretation of 500 Miles; it’s because I was there, next to the stage and it was brilliant! And I shouldn’t say it too loud but even more than the play I liked the little concert at the end. Since then I love She Comes and Harvest Moon, what wonderful songs. It was a very special day for me, so thanks Damian for this, the happiest birthday and many happy returns!!!

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Vincent W.
Location: The Netherlands
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Major Dick Winters is one of my favorite characters played by Damian Lewis because he shows what real leadership looks like. He leads not by showing off, but by caring for his men and making smart decisions under pressure. Winters always puts others first and stays calm, even in the hardest situations. I also love that he is humble and doesn’t seek praise, but just tries to do what is right. Damian brings him to life in an amazing way, showing both his courage and his struggles in a very natural and believable way. Band of Brothers was actually the first role of Damian Lewis I ever saw, and it made me a big fan of his acting.

Favorite Character: King Henry VIII, Wolf Hall
Name: Heather J.
Location: Chelmsford, Essex, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: The character I have chosen is King Henry VIII from Wolf Hall, a period drama. Damian Lewis isn’t the main character in this, but it tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, played by Mark Rylance, (who won a Bafta TV award for best actor) during the reign of King Henry VIII, played by Damian. The costumes were magnificent and the portrayal of Henry by Damian was absolutely brilliant, and for me, very captivating. He was my perfect Henry. It shows a great talent that Damian has of playing such different roles. Damian received a Golden Globe nomination and a Primetime Emmy award nomination for best supporting actor. Critics were very kind, and it brought author Hilary Mantel’s award winning novels to life.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Anabel S.
Location: Marchena, Sevilla – Spain
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Today I want to wish a very happy birthday to Damian Lewis, and thank him for giving us one of those rare characters who simply feels unlike anyone else: Charlie Crews, from Life.
Because honestly…how many detectives do you know who solve homicides while quoting Zen philosophy, eating fruit like they’re trying to win a world championship in vitamin C, and smiling like they’re in on a joke the rest of us don’t get? Charlie was unique.

He had that unsettling calm of someone who spent twelve years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit…and decided that anger just wasn’t worth the energy. So instead: he’d breathe, peel an orange, drop some cryptic life lesson… and five minutes later the case was solved. But the best part was that beneath all that near-spiritual peace, there was always something else: toughness. A quiet darkness.

That look in his eyes reminding you that Crews wasn’t just quirky, he was someone who had survived hell. The Zen didn’t make him soft; it was how he kept the storm contained. Half monk, half relentless detective. Half enlightenment…half “don’t mess with me.” That mix of dry humor, lovable weirdness, buried trauma, big conspiracies, and a suspicious amount of fruit made him unforgettable. Even if Life only lasted two seasons, Charlie Crews stayed with us far longer.

So thank you, Damian, for bringing to life someone so strange, so human, and so memorable. Happy birthday! Feliz cumpleaños! and may we never run out of Zen detectives with tangerines in their pockets.

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Katy
Location: Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: My favourite character would have to be, the very Complex, Nicholas Brody. It is no surprise that Damian won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his amazing role in Homeland, as the deeply troubled, double agent. From hero to villain, and back again, Brody truly had us gripped to our seats in anticipation of his innocence…or not. Come back Brody, all is forgiven! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Damian, filled with love and lots of cake and D’Lous. Looking forward to hearing you rock again soon Love Katy, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Christiane M.
Location: Verona, Italy
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Bobby Axelrod is my favorite character. I love his ability to walk into a room and notice every detail and, most importantly, remember it even days, weeks, months later. He’s fierce but fair in battle. He doesn’t stab people in the back, but if necessary he’ll punch them in the face. Happy Birthday Damian from Verona (Italy)!

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Mel
Location: Hamburg – Germany
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I chose this character because the series was the first time Damian truly stood out to me. I absolutely loved how he brought Charlie to life – it was just amazing. His quiet intensity, emotional depth, and the subtle way he developed the character made him instantly compelling. I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone better in the role, and that’s what made me connect with him so much.

Favorite Character: Major Richard D. “Dick” Winters, Band of Brothers
Name: Vicky R.
Location: Leicester, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I have chosen the incredible Richard Winters from Band of Brothers. This is the character who started my journey as a Damian fan, almost 25 years ago…the character means so much to me, I even have a Currahee tattoo! What I loved most about this character though, was learning about the man himself; the dignified clips of him retelling his memories, interspersed in the episodes, and seeing the respect when Damian was with him. He was an absolute gentleman, like our birthday boy himself.

Dick Winters
Army man
Military hero
In battle
Always led from the front
Never left a man behind

Happy birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Zhen (zhendazz)
Location: Taiwan, the home of Bubble Tea!
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Brody is a character who fundamentally changed me. I initially saw him as a traitor, but the safe house scene—his trembling hands and the sweat on his brow, stopped only by his daughter’s voice—shattered my perception. Damian is truly a ‘God of Acting’; he captured Brody’s fragility and silent intensity so perfectly that even without words, his eyes conveyed profound isolation. Watching his downward spiral later on broke my heart; I wept for him, understanding his need to shut down a soul in deep pain. While his end wasn’t happy in the traditional sense, I believe it represented his ultimate freedom. This role reshaped how I view humanity. Thank you, Damian, for giving Brody such soul-stirring depth. You have truly influenced my life. Happy 55th Birthday!

Favorite Character: Bobby “Axe” Axelrod, Billions
Name: Rachel W.
Location: West Sussex, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Dearest Damian, firstly, I’m wishing you a fabulous Happy 55th Birthday . As you’ll notice, my absolute favourite character you have played, though I must admit sometimes it hard to really choose, as you have done such amazing and diverse work…..I do LOVE Bobby Axelrod!!! He has a controlled power, that demands attention, and although hard nosed in business, he has a warmer side, especially for family and those he truly respects. A complex character overall, and one I can enjoy watching and rewatching! Cheers to you Damian, you bring much happiness into my life! Rach x

Favorite Character: Nicolas Brody, Homeland
Name: Ina
Location: Germany
He’s My Favorite Character Because: It’s definitely Nicholas Brody. The series changed my life in terms of TV shows, mainly because of Damian’s presence. The complexity of the character and his acting skills were incredible. The series wasn’t the same without him. Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Katalin B.
Location: Antibes – France
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Who is my favorite Damian Lewis character? That’s a really hard one If I have to name just one, it’s Nicholas Brody. I could say Soames Forsyte, because that was the role in which I first saw Damian and he immediately caught my attention. I could say Bobby Axelrod, the cool character who is both good and bad at the same time, yet we all end up rooting for him. I could say Nicholas Elliott — this was the last role in which I saw Damian when I rewatched the series, and I really enjoyed his performance. But still, my favorite is Nicholas Brody: an incredibly complex character, with one of the most intense and painful emotional, identity, and love stories I’ve ever seen. Seeing him in this role is what made me a true fan of Damian Lewis.

Favorite Character: Nicholas Elliott, A Spy Among Friends
Name: Lou
Location: Cambridge, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I’ve chosen Nicholas Elliott mainly because I couldn’t choose between Bobby Axelrod and Nicholas Brody as favorite characters. But also because this character is featured in Damian’s song Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella and also I think it’s a really fascinating story of friendship, love, and betrayal in a post World War 2 era. That’s kind of one of my favorite things to watch at the moment. Sitting on my bookshelf is a novel by Charlotte Philby who is the granddaughter of Kim Philby…a novel I haven’t read yet. Kim Philby was a British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union, played by Guy Pearce opposite Damian’s Nicholas Elliott in A Spy Among Friends. That’s my inspiration for the birthday message and thanks to Fan Fun for collating this all together. Happy Birthday, Damian!

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland (plus Balor, The Silent Storm)
Name: Robson (@robscard on X)
Location: Belo Horizonte – Brazil
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Since the task is to choose my favorite, I’ll have to go with the most obvious one, which is Brody from Homeland. It was probably not the first time I’d seen Damian, but it was love at first sight for sure. This character is what started this whole, well, journey of fan admiration for him and his work. I really like the Brody character because of his complexity, especially in his relationship with Carrie, and also because it gave Damian so much range to work with and shows his talents as an actor. Their connection always felt like a mix of love and obsession, and it sometimes made me wonder if they could truly love each other or if they were just caught in something bigger than them. I was always torn between rooting for him and being afraid of what he might do next. With Brody, you never really knew what was coming next, and that tension kept me completely hooked. It truly showed what a remarkable actor he is, and that, plus his good looks and charm, is what drew me in.
So yeah, I have to thank Brody for introducing Damian to my life.

I also want to highlight something different and give a special mention to Balor in The Silent Storm. He is such a strong and challenging presence, and Damian’s performance feels incredibly powerful. His posture, his voice, and the way he commands the screen leave a lasting impression. It’s a beautiful film and one people really should watch for the scenery, the emotional depth, and the talent of the whole cast.

And of course, happy birthday, Damian! I wish you all the best, lots of happiness, health, and many more amazing roles. Keep shining and making us emotional, impressed, and a little obsessed.

Favorite Character: Charlie Crews, Life
Name: Dawn M.
Location: Manchester, England – UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: First of all, I want to tell you what a fantastic night we had when we came to see you at Band on the Wall in my hometown Manchester and also to wish you a very happy 55th Birthday. Have a lovely day, Damian. My favorite character Damian has portrayed is Charlie Crews from the television series Life because he’s gorgeous. What more can I say 😉

Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Tiffany M.
Location: New Jersey – USA
He’s My Favorite Character Because: For this very special birthday, of course I chose Sgt. Brody. As a therapist, I find this character especially fascinating. Examining this character’s history brings up a great debate about nature vs. nurture, how fragile we are as human beings, and our ability to heal, persevere, and overcome. Was Brody a traitor or “turned?” Could any human being survive what he endured? Somehow, he did. This storyline highlighted the challenges for our military coming home and the lifelong impact deployment has on families. Damian kept viewers on their toes reconciling a character that was a hero and an anti-hero. One of my greatest memories was seeing “The Confession” played on a movie screen, at the SVA in Manhattan, with Damian sitting right in front of it

Favorite Character: Nicholas Elliott, A Spy Among Friends
Name: BAMM!
Location: Thailand
He’s My Favorite Character Because: I chose Nicholas Elliott, the British spy with a love for umbrellas and also questionable friends who may be double agents. Watch Instagram video below of me drawing Nicholas Elliott for Damian’s birthday while in a secretive sake bar and half-sozzled 😉 And all set to the tune of Damian’s song about Nicholas Elliott titled Never Judge a Man by His Umbrella. Happy Birthday, Damian!

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Favorite Character: Nicholas Brody, Homeland
Name: Natalie
Location: UK
He’s My Favorite Character Because: Damian as Brody I know captured many hearts, not just mine. A tragic hero with so many layers. Haunting, emotional, unforgettable. I never continued after season 3 ❤️ …. but it lead me to so many more amazing things with Damian, including this group and his music ❤️

Damian’s Birthday Cake and Card

On behalf of all you fans that participated, we sent Damian a birthday card, along with a birthday cake he can eat and share with loved ones in London.

The square, two-tier scrumptious sticky toffee cake was made by Cakes by Robin. On the top tier is a sugar model of Damian in the likeness of Lord Humphrey Davenport from his recent British comedy film Fackham Hall.

Lord Davenport is wearing his black tux enjoying a champagne glass with pinkie up, complete with that eccentric winged hairdo called “hair horns” LOL. The bottom tier is Fackham Hall manor, where the Davenports were born to aristocracy and bred for idiocy, or as the adverts say, “Incestuous ad Infinitum.” That manor home is definitely high class and balls deep 😉 And of course we couldn’t forget the teacups for the servants to hold up to the Davenports’ mouths for sipping. Happy Fackham Birthday, Damian!

We would like to thank Cakes by Robin for their amazing talent and exemplary service!! They were a pleasure to work with again.

Damian took to Instagram to share his appreciation to the fans and the Fan Fun with Damian Lewis Team, and to let us know his dog Petra might have even had a taste of the cake without permission LOL

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Thank you to all the fans who participated in our little birthday project this year. Without you, it would not have been possible. All of you are so talented and creative.

Best wishes from all of us Fan Fun With Damian Lewis.

And in case you were curious to visualize where all the fans are from, here is your personalized map. We received favorite character submissions from all over the world!

Stats by Location:
15 countries
5 continents

North America USA
California – 1
Florida – 1
Illinois – 1
Kansas – 1
Maryland – 1
Massachusetts – 1
Michigan – 1
Minnesota – 1
Missouri – 1
New Jersey – 3
New York – 3
North Carolina – 3
Oklahoma – 1
Pennsylvania – 1

Europe UK
England – 10
Northern Ireland – 1
Wales – 1

Europe
Belgium – 1
France – 2
Germany – 3
Italy – 2
Netherlands – 2
Spain – 1

South America
Brazil – 1
Peru – 1

Australia
Australia – 1

Asia
Taiwan – 1
Thailand – 1

Author: Gingersnap

Management Analyst, part-time Adjunct Professor and Computer Software Consultant by day and Damian Lewis aficionado by night. View all posts by Gingersnap