Damian Lewis to Exit Showtime's HOMELAND?

Showbiz411 reports that Homeland star Damian Lewis will not appear in the first two episodes of the new season of the Showtime drama. The actor won an Emmy award for his portrayal of the world's most wanted terrorist, 'Nicolas Brody' on the show.

The news was announced yesterday during the show's press conference for the Television Critics Association. Homeland producers explained that Brody will be "on the lam," when the show premieres on September 29th yet many industry insiders suspect that a two-episode absence might indicate the actor will Exit the show due to his burgeoning film career.

The actor recently filming Julian Fellowes' "Romeo and Juliet" and will soon star along with his wife, Helen McCrory on an all star Civil War mini-series called "To Appomattox." Upcoming films include "The Silent Storm" and "The Lords of Magic."

The third season will open during the aftermath of the horrific terror attack that decimated the U.S. intelligence apparatus, and prompted a global manhunt for Brody. As Carrie (Claire Danes) and Saul (Mandy Patinkin) begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered professional and personal lives, they are swept up in the political and media firestorm surrounding the terror attack and the subsequent search for Brody's whereabouts.

Lewis' other TV credits include in the ITV remake of The Forsyte Saga, Detective Charlie Crews in the NBC drama Life and Major Richard Winters in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.