Damian Lewis hints Brody and Carrie 'are over' in Homeland series three

Homeland star Damian Lewis revealed his character's romance with CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) is probably over, as he received the Freedom of the City of London.

The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor received the award, recognising his achievements as an actor, and said it was “one of the greatest honours I've ever received”.

But, speaking in the City, Lewis indicated the romance between his character, Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody, and Carrie Mathison would not continue in the US psychological drama, which will run for a third series later this year.

He said: “I think Brody and Carrie are over. I don't think those two can be together. Can you imagine them being married and bringing up kids? I don't think it would last long.

“I think they'd be in the divorce courts pretty quickly so I don't think that's a story that has got many legs.”

But he said fans of the show could still expect “ambiguity, death, sex, intrigue - you know, another day on Homeland”.

Receiving the award at the City's Guildhall, Lewis said: “It's remarkable, I'm still surprised. I wasn't quite sure if they'd got the right person so I'm very happy to be here. It's a rare occasion.”

The London-born actor said he was told he would receive the award when he was sent a letter from the lord mayor of the City of London, Alderman Roger Gifford.

The actor, known for playing Soames Forsyte in ITV's The Forsyte Saga and Major Richard D. Winters in the US mini-series Band Of Brothers, will also star as Lord Capulet in a production of Romeo And Juliet directed by Carlo Carlei.

Despite filming many of his roles in the US, Lewis, who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1993, said he felt strongly connected to London.

“I feel like a Londoner through and through actually. London is the greatest city in the world, I think.”

The Freedom of the City of London ceremony is believed to have begun in 1237 and originally allowed recipients in the Middle Ages to trade freely. Today the Freedom is honorary and many of the traditional privileges, such as driving sheep over London Bridge, no longer exist.

Lewis said the lapsed tradition was a “shame”. He said: “I've got a flock in my garden in Tufnell Park but I wasn't allowed to bring them down.”

He also revealed historical family ties to the City. “Four previous lord mayors were related to me - my great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather and a great-uncle, and my grandfather.

“They started out as girdlers. They'd probably be making Spanx now if they were around today,” he said.

PA