Damian Lewis Admits There Was 'Pressure' to Get “Band of Brothers” Right, Says Show Still ‘Means Everything to Me' (Exclusive)
Damian Lewis Admits There Was 'Pressure' to Get “Band of Brothers” Right, Says Show Still ‘Means Everything to Me' (Exclusive)
Meredith WilshereSun, May 31, 2026 at 12:58 PM UTC
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Damian Lewis at the 'Pressure' premiere; Lewis in 'Band of Brothers'
Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty; HBO via Getty
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Damian Lewis reflects on the lasting legacy of Band of Brothers, calling it an incredible and enduring piece of drama
The HBO miniseries, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, earned critical acclaim and won seven Emmy Awards
Lewis compares playing real-life figures in Band of Brothers and Pressure, emphasizing the responsibility to honor their stories
Band of Brothers was “everything” to actor Damian Lewis.
The Billions star caught up with PEOPLE at the premiere of his new film, Pressure, in New York City, and reflected on the other World War II story he was a part of.
“Band of Brothers means everything to me," he shares. "It was an incredible show to be part of. Its legacy has gone on and on and on. People adore it. It stands up. I've seen it recently. It stands up as a piece of drama."
Damian Lewis and Ron Livingston in 'Band of Brothers'
Credit: HBO via Getty
Lewis played Easy Company's commander and the series' main character, Major Richard D. Winters, in the show, which was based on Stephen E. Ambrose's bestselling non-fiction book of the same name about Easy Company, the 506th Regiment of the Army's 101st Airborne Division. The HBO miniseries, which premiered in 2001, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in September.
Similar to Band of Brothers, Lewis plays a real person in Pressure, which highlights the planning that went into D-Day and how they shifted the attack due to the weather forecasting of James Stagg, played by Andrew Scott. Lewis plays hard-headed Bernard “Monty” Montgomery in the film.
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He tells PEOPLE that there is “pressure” when it comes to playing people who existed in history.
“I think, as with Pressure, there is a pressure when you are playing people who existed in real life and did extraordinary things," he says at the event on May 27. "You need to honor them the best way you can. That's really what preoccupied all of us during Band of Brothers and similarly with Pressure."
Damian Lewis and David Schwimmer
Credit: HBO via Getty
The miniseries depicted the soldiers' journey from boot camp to the front lines and through the end of World War II, while also working in interviews with the real people the series was based on. The show was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
In addition to Lewis, the cast was a mix of up-and-coming actors, such as Tom Hardy, and known talent like David Schwimmer. The miniseries was a critical success, earning a Peabody Award and 20 Emmy nominations, winning seven, including Outstanding Miniseries.
Band of Brothers is now streaming on HBO Max, while Pressure hit theaters May 29.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
