What purpose does war serve? At last, we have a response: it offers eight hours of top-tier entertainment directly to your television screens for your enjoyment. Hooray!
War is the title of George Kay’s newest project. Known for creating the delightfully absurd series Hijack, Kay delivers another engaging experience with this tale of two despicable, wealthy celebrities embroiled in a public divorce. Their courtroom clash is fueled by two equally loathsome teams of affluent lawyers, all intent on inflicting maximum damage on the opposing side.
This high-stakes drama requires minimal emotional investment from viewers. It serves as a refreshing escape from the daily barrage of news and social media. After a day filled with scrolling through headlines and navigating life, this kind of entertainment is exactly what we need.
Dominic West portrays Morgan Henderson, a social media tycoon with a penchant for infidelity. It seems West has become synonymous with such roles, embodying the character of a wealthy rogue effortlessly, much to his agent’s satisfaction. Sienna Miller takes on the role of his film star wife, Carla Duval, who, after a decade of marriage, is fed up and, against her lawyers’ advice, devises a morally ambiguous strategy to gain an advantage over him, involving a close friend and her spouse.
War unfolds as a drama filled with contradictions. Yes, there is a prenuptial agreement in place! It stipulates that each party retains whatever assets they brought into the marriage. Is this problematic? Yes, for Carla, as her income has significantly dwindled. However! Prenups can be contested if sufficient changes in circumstances occur. Yes, but what qualifies as a significant change? Perhaps Morgan’s transformation into a multi-billionaire and his role as a beloved stepfather to Carla’s son Gabriel (Aran Murphy) could suffice. But what constitutes a fair settlement in this scenario—millions? Yes, but what about the Manhattan apartment? And what about a monthly allowance?
Morgan hires the services of Cathcarts & Sons, a traditional law firm characterized by its oak-paneled offices and the cunning St John Smallwood, played by Pip Torrens, who meticulously seeks out vulnerabilities in his adversaries while occasionally indulging in snacks. Carla opts for the more modern Taylor & Byrne, a firm established by the married couple Serena (Phoebe Fox) and Nick (James McArdle). Their sleek offices are home to eager newcomer Johnny (Archie Renaux), who recently left a prestigious U.S. firm under enigmatic circumstances.
Thus, we have a mix of wealth, class struggles, infidelity, and more wealth. Let the legal and illicit antics commence! The lawyers engage in strategic maneuvers, pondering whether the opposing side will anticipate their next move. If they must adhere to strict requirements, despite their high-end tailoring, how can they best serve their clients? Can they fabricate a paper trail to shield themselves from future liability? What holds more significance—the strength of the case, the caliber of the lawyers, or the media coverage? Should they prevent St John from entering the courtroom with a twitching rodent in his mouth, or would that enhance their position?
It’s an enormous amount of fun, with a sensational, contemporary vibe that heightens the entertainment factor. The betrayals! The double-dealings! The last-minute escapes from calamity! Until the next twist!
Kay skillfully navigates the fast-paced narrative, ensuring that the plot remains coherent and controlled. The stellar performances from West and Miller—self-serving yet oddly relatable, especially during a particular revealing scene with Morgan—maintain viewer interest, even if sympathy is not required. This extends to Torrens’ superb performance and includes Celia Imrie and Archie Panjabi as the barristers ultimately engaged to represent the couple, along with the entire ensemble cast. It’s a soap opera infused with wealth, talent, and a rich storyline. What more could you desire after a long day?
War premiered on Sky Atlantic and is available on Now.
