The courtroom is about to become a battleground when HBO and Sky Original drama series “WAR” premieres Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.
Created by George Kay, known for “Lupin” and “Hijack,” the eight-episode legal drama takes viewers inside London’s most powerful law firms, where ambition, money and reputation collide. New episodes will debut weekly on Thursdays.
The series centers on a high-profile legal battle between rival firms Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne. At the heart of the conflict is the explosive divorce of British tech entrepreneur Morgan Henderson, played by Dominic West, and international film star Carla Duval, portrayed by Sienna Miller.
As the two firms fight to secure victory for their clients, ambitious young lawyer Jonathan “Johnny” Warren, played by Archie Renaux, finds himself pulled into a world where professional success comes at a steep price.
At Taylor & Byrne, partners Serena Byrne and Nicholas Taylor — played by Phoebe Fox and James McArdle — face off against their rivals at Cathcarts & Sons, including Beatrice “Queen Bea” Ubosi, played by Nina Sosanya, and St John Smallwood, portrayed by Pip Torrens.
The series features a large ensemble cast, including Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Emma Laird, Aran Murphy, Archie Panjabi, Adrian Scarborough, Shaheen Jafargholi, Akiya Henry, Honor Swinton Byrne, Miles Jupp, Kartanya Maynard, Alexandra Mardell, Dylan Murphy, Mark Quartley and Steve Furst.
Rather than focusing solely on legal arguments, “WAR” explores the personal and professional stakes surrounding those who operate at the highest levels of the legal industry. The battle between the two firms becomes a test of loyalty, strategy and ambition as lawyers pursue victory for their clients.
The series is co-produced by New Pictures, a Banijay company, and Observatory Pictures, in association with Sky and HBO. Kay serves as creator, writer and executive producer, alongside Willow Grylls and Matt Sandford for New Pictures; Susan Breen, Ben Taylor, Andrea Dewsbury and Megan Spanjian for Sky. Ben Taylor serves as lead director, with Laurie Borg as series producer.
“WAR” has already received a two-season order from HBO and Sky, with production currently underway on the second season.
The upcoming season will feature Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald and David Harewood in a new headline-making legal battle involving an explosive defamation case.
In the United States, “WAR” will premiere on HBO and stream on HBO Max, with the series also available across several international markets. In the UK and Ireland, it will air on Sky and stream on NOW.