It Happened One Afternoon: Eli’s Story

Hello everyone! Damianista welcomes you to a NEW Fan Story Tuesday!

Today’s fan story comes from a wonderful fan, Eli, living in a city that I am dying to visit at some point: Buenos Aires! She and I, next to being Damian Lewis fans, have more than a bit in common: She is an only child, she is a blogger (please visit Eli’s wonderful blog Eli & Friends here), and she is a runner (certainly a much better one than me), too!

Massive thanks go to Eli for taking the time to share her lovely fan story with us. Here’s to many years of sharing Damian love together! <3

The first time I saw Damian Lewis was over a decade ago, when at postgrad-school, professor had us watch some Band of Brothers’ scenes to exemplify leadership and team work. Actually, it was one scene where Dick Winters appeared. My eyes must have grown bigger than my face at the sight of that handsome redhead. I remember some of classmates were quite fans of the series, thus they lent me the DVDs. I watched each chapter eagerly with my friends, who by the way were also big fans of World War II History, so we all had a great time.

Years passed by and everyone told me that I should watch Homeland. But I have to say the story was not quite appealing at the time. I thought “No, thank you another classic Taliban story…” one afternoon my husband was sorting thru Netflix and he played the series. There and then I realized what I had been missing, great story, handsome actor and compelling characters. I became a fan from chapter one. Not only was there my favorite redhead but also, the plot was absolutely unexpected, the roles of Carrie and Brody were both damaged but at the same time likeable. So I have to say, I am one of those fans that after Brody died, despite all my efforts of watching it, I just couldn’t. Homeland had to be Carrie and Brody.

One thing is for sure, Damian chooses to act good stories, some of them are independent movies which actually are quite difficult to find outside the English-speaking countries and some others are more main stream. In any case, all his characters have that physicality, the way he micro gestures and conveys complex emotions in non-verbal’s with his face or body language. I think that in my family we have watched Dreamcatcher at least 10 times. My father and I love Stephen King’s stories, I remember I bought the DVD and gave it to my father as a present one Christmas many years ago ever since when I am home, we watch Dreamcatcher together.

One of the most excruciating roles and stories that Damian has ever played is, for me, Keane. The way he brings into life William Keane, is tortuous and masterly at the same time. I have to say, I never cry in movies, I think there are only two movies which made me cry hopelessly: Keane and Hachiko. If you haven’t watch Keane, do it, but I warn you it depicts certain human realities and how the mind is the worst abyss a man can stare into.

Lately, another movie that I have enjoyed a lot is Our Kind of Traitor, a typical story by John LeCarre. Elegantly dressed in British fashion, Damian delights our eyes with another great performance as an MI6 agent. His role, Hector is a troubled MI6 agent, who might defy certain established rules to expose the corruption at higher levels.

Finally, I have to say I am waiting impatiently for next season of Billions. I love this series for so many things, the fact that I work closely to the finance world makes me appreciate more the realism in each character.

Damian’s role is a take on how the modern USA society has turned their billionaires into villains. Depicting that you must have some skeletons in the closet if you have made that amount of money. Whilst this assumption may be true at some length, the series also shows how the “good” guys are willing to do “bad” things to serve justice. The story is so captivating and each character is coming from very different backgrounds. Similar to the rest of Damian’s roles, Bobby Axelrod is self-made man with a complex psyche and voracity for power games and winning. I believe Damian understands the role to the core, Bobby does not live to make money, he lives to play the game, money is just a side winning. Bobby is also a head of family who is married to an equally talented wife and two beautiful sons, and there is another story within the main story… watch it you are going to love it. By the way, I am loving the series of Bobby Axelrod and Wendy Rhoades series by Damianista.

Setting aside Damian’s roles (I am yet to see him play alive on stage), he seems like a nice, approachable, down-to-earth, fun guy (far-off his troubled roles). He seems to give everyone the appropriate time and space in his life, he is married and has a lovely wife and two kids which he protects away from unnecessary media exposure. I find this so great, because after all he may be a public figure but does not mean he cannot have his privacy.

On the other hand, he cherishes his fans, takes selfies, is approachable and kind, which for a star of his level is so valuable.

Finally, he mingles with the royalty and his personal background and education and personal charisma place him the same in Royal events, the Ascots or having dinner with former President Obama. On top of all of that, he also takes any opportunity to support charitable causes, which is like the cherry on the cake, in this case a lovely “ginger” cake, don’t you agree?

Author: Damianista

Academic, Traveler, Blogger, Runner, Theatre Lover, Wine Snob, Part-time New Yorker, and Walking Damian Lewis Encyclopedia :D Procrastinated about a fan's diary on Damian Lewis for a while and the rest is history! View all posts by Damianista