Damian Lewis: 'Homeland is more psychological and political than 24'

Damian Lewis has talked about comparisons between Showtime series Homeland and Kiefer Sutherland's 24, claiming that his show is more "psychological" and "political".

Lewis said that viewers comparing the two programmes was inevitable because both have been produced by Howard Gordon, but that there were stark differences between their tones.



"It's not really 24. It's far more of a psychological, political drama - I think the paranoia plays much more strongly. Just the style in which it's filmed is very different. It takes its time, it allows it to breathe, whereas 24 was a high-octane, crack-like experience," Lewis explained.

"It made me just feel extraordinarily uneasy, watching 24; it was a very uncomfortable feeling. I think Homeland is too, because of the subject matter, but there's an enjoyment in just being able to sit in things a bit more. I think this allows you to do that."

Speaking about why he signed up for the show, the Band of Brothers star added: "It just seemed brilliantly representative of a slightly uncertain, paranoid world we live in now."

Homeland, which was a ratings and critical hit for Showtime last autumn, will air in the UK later this month on Channel 4.

Digital Spy's TV team voted Homeland the 'Best TV Show of 2011'.

Watch a trailer for Homeland: