Malin Akerman talks "Billions" and a good night's sleep
Malin Akerman agrees that her Showtime series “Billions” -- about Wall Street corruption -- could only get more topical heading into 2017. But, she argues, given the financial crisis that started nine years ago, it’s always been relevant.
Akerman is finishing up production on the second season of “Billions,” and she’s also teamed up with Walmart for its new Hotel Style line of hotel-inspired bedding and bath products. And as a working actress, Akerman knows a thing or two about luxurious hotel linens.
What encouraged you to get involved with the Hotel Style campaign?
One of my favorite things in life right now is sleep. Having a 2-and-a-half-year-old son and early call times, you just can’t wait to go to bed at the end of the day. I travel a lot and I stay at a lot of hotels, and there’s always that thing when you check into a hotel and you crawl into a hotel bed and the sheets are just a little bit more exclusive than your own at home. I think it’s wonderful to be able to offer everyone an opportunity to have a little bit of luxury at home and have a sort of staycation.
Of the hotels you’ve stayed in, do any stand out as the most comfortable?
I would say when I was lucky enough to stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel, I was pretty excited. They have lovely sheets and velvet throws, which is very kind of exciting and sexy and fun. You don’t see that, it’s very different.
How does it feel to be working on a second season of “Billions”?
It’s exciting, it’s great. We’re almost done with our second season. We’re happy to be having more than one season, first of all, and working with this amazing group of people, these actors, is just phenomenal. It feels very special. I’ve never been on a show that’s had a second -- well, I guess “The Comeback,” but that was a decade later. It’s great, it’s been lovely.
Do you think the Wall Street-based storylines of the show might start to feel even more relevant, given current events?
Yeah, I think it has been relevant for a while. I think people are curious about Wall Street and the financial world, the so-called corruption and everything that surrounds it. I think it’s consistently relevant, to be honest with you. That’s why it’s working well, because people are honestly curious. There’s a lot going on there.
You’ve done series on Showtime, HBO, Adult Swim and network TV. Do you find much variation between the different television worlds?
Yeah, for sure there’s a difference. I feel like network, there’s a lot more red tape around it, there’s a lot more format to it, whereas HBO or Showtime there’s a little bit more creative liberty to say and do what you want to do. And then you have Adult Swim, which is its very own animal where you can do anything you want, which is really my favorite because then you’re off to the races and you get to be as kooky and crazy and creative as you want.
Lisa Kudrow recently addressed the chance of “The Comeback” coming back again. Could you see a third season or a movie?
I’d like to see a movie! Let’s go big. I’d love to see either, but I think at this point it would make the most sense to make a film. I feel like it would be nice to have an hour and a half instead another eight or 12 episodes. It would be nice to just put it all in a film.