Created by George Kay.
War premiered on October 1, 2026, in the United States
Distributed by HBO (United States); Sky (United Kingdom).
War (2026) TV Series Review
War (2026) is a British legal drama that explores ambition, betrayal and rivalry through a high-profile divorce that pits two powerful London law firms against each other.
Led by Dominic West, Sienna Miller, Phoebe Fox and James McArdle, the series combines strong performances with sharp dialogue and complicated relationships.
Its stylish setting and unexpected twists make the legal battles entertaining, while the characters’ personal struggles add emotional depth.
Although some subplots affect the pacing, the intense competition and shifting loyalties keep the story engaging.
Overall, War offers an entertaining drama for viewers who enjoy legal conflicts and power struggles.
CR Rating: 7.8/10.
War Actors
Dominic West as Morgan Henderson
DOB: October 15, 1969.
English actor, director and producer known for his performances in television dramas, films and theatre.
He studied English literature at Trinity College Dublin before training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
West rose to international prominence as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the HBO crime drama The Wire.
Role: Morgan Henderson is a successful technology billionaire whose marriage to Hollywood actress Carla Duval ends in a high-stakes divorce battle.
As the dispute unfolds, Morgan becomes embroiled in a legal conflict involving two powerful London law firms, each determined to secure the advantage for its client.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: West received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in The Affair and earned further major award recognition for portraying Prince Charles in The Crown.
Notable Works: The Wire, The Affair, The Crown, Les Misérables (2012), Pride.
Sienna Miller as Carla Duval
DOB: December 28, 1981.
English-American actress known for her work in film, television and theatre.
Born in New York City and raised partly in London, she studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York before pursuing acting professionally.
Role: Carla Duval is an internationally renowned Hollywood actress whose marriage to British technology entrepreneur Morgan Henderson ends in a high-profile divorce battle.
After years of feeling neglected in the relationship, Carla decides to take control of her future, setting off a legal dispute that draws two of London’s most powerful law firms into conflict.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Miller was born in the United States and raised in England, giving her both British and American ties.
Beyond acting, she has worked in fashion.
Notable Works: Anatomy of a Scandal, American Sniper, The Lost City of Z, Factory Girl, The Girl.
Phoebe Fox as Serena Byrne
DOB: April 16, 1987.
English actress known for her work in television, film and theatre.
She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2010, and began building her career through stage performances and television appearances.
Fox became widely known to television audiences for playing Marial in the period comedy-drama The Great.
Role: Serena Byrne is a successful lawyer and co-founder of the London law firm Taylor & Byrne, which she runs with her husband, Nicholas Taylor.
Previously regarded as a future partner at the prestigious firm Cathcarts & Sons, Serena left after being passed over for promotion, a setback she believes reflected the legal establishment’s entrenched power structures.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Fox graduated from RADA in 2010 and received nominations for the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her stage work.
Notable Works: The Great, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, The Hollow Crown, Close to Me, Life in Squares.
James McArdle as Nicholas Taylor
DOB: April 3, 1989.
Scottish actor known for his work in theatre, television and film.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and graduated in 2009.
McArdle developed a strong reputation through stage performances, earning recognition for roles in productions such as Angels in America and The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Role: Nicholas Taylor is a prominent London lawyer and co-founder of the law firm Taylor & Byrne, which he runs with his wife, Serena Byrne.
The couple’s professional partnership is tested when they take on the high-profile divorce case involving Hollywood actress Carla Duval and technology entrepreneur Morgan Henderson.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: McArdle received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for his performance in Angels in America and has earned significant recognition for his theatre work.
Notable Works: Mare of Easttown, Ammonite, Angels in America, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Mary Queen of Scots.
Nina Sosanya as Beatrice “Queen Bea” Ubosi
DOB: June 6, 1969.
English actress and narrator known for her extensive work in television, theatre and film.
Born in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, she trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance before pursuing an acting career.
Role: Beatrice “Queen Bea” Ubosi is a senior partner at Cathcarts & Sons, the prestigious law firm representing technology entrepreneur Morgan Henderson in his high-profile divorce from actress Carla Duval.
Intelligent, strategic and fiercely competitive, Bea commands respect within the firm and is known for her ability to anticipate opponents’ moves.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Sosanya trained in contemporary dance before becoming an actress and has maintained a substantial theatre career alongside her screen work.
Notable Works: W1A, Last Tango in Halifax, Killing Eve, Good Omens, His Dark Materials.
Pip Torrens as St. John Smallwood
DOB: June 2, 1960.
English actor known for his extensive work in British and international film, television and theatre.
He studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, before training at Drama Studio London.
Over the years, he has built a reputation as a versatile character actor.
Role: St. John Smallwood is the lead lawyer representing Morgan Henderson in his divorce case against Carla Duval.
He is a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Cathcarts & Sons and a longtime friend of Morgan.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Torrens studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later trained as an actor at Drama Studio London.
Notable Works: The Crown, Preacher, Poldark, The Nevers, Versailles.
Archie Renaux as Johnny Warren
DOB: November 22, 1997.
English actor and former model who has built an international profile through television and film.
Before entering the acting profession, he worked as a model and trained at the Unseen drama school in London.
Role: Jonathan “Johnny” Warren is an ambitious young lawyer trying to establish himself in London’s competitive legal profession.
Coming from a working-class background, he feels pressure to prove that he belongs among lawyers from more privileged backgrounds.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Before becoming an actor, Renaux worked in door-to-door sales, an experience he discussed when explaining how he understood Johnny’s confidence and ability to adapt to different people.
Notable Works: Shadow and Bone, Alien: Romulus, Morbius, The Other Zoey, Gold Digger.
Nick Mohammed as Michael Stefanou
DOB: October 4, 1980.
English actor, comedian and writer known for his distinctive comic performances and character-driven acting.
He studied geophysics at Durham University before pursuing a career in comedy and entertainment.
He later completed a postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.
Role: Michael Stefanou is one of the dependable senior associates at Taylor & Byrne, the law firm founded by Serena Byrne and Nicholas Taylor.
Having been with the firm since its early days, he is a trusted member of the team and an important contributor to its legal work.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Mohammed studied geophysics at Durham University before moving into comedy and acting.
Notable Works: Ted Lasso, Intelligence, Stath Lets Flats, The Martian, Slow Horses.
Miles Jupp as David Schill
DOB: September 8, 1979.
English actor, comedian and writer known for his work in television, radio, theatre and stand-up comedy.
He studied divinity at the University of Edinburgh, where he began performing with a student comedy group before developing a professional career in stand-up.
Role: David Schill is a key member of the legal team at Cathcarts & Sons, the firm representing Morgan Henderson in his high-profile divorce from actress Carla Duval.
He is a shrewd and ambitious lawyer who works closely with senior figures at the firm.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Jupp began performing comedy while studying at the University of Edinburgh and won the So You Think You’re Funny competition in 2001.
Notable Works: The Durrells, Rev., Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, The Thick of It, The Full Monty.
Celia Imrie as Joy “Budgie” Budge
DOB: July 15, 1952.
English actress and author whose career spans film, television and theatre.
She trained at the Guildford School of Acting and became widely recognised through her collaborations with comedian and writer Victoria Wood, including Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV and dinnerladies.
Role: Joy “Budgie” Budge is a freelance barrister hired by Taylor & Byrne to work on Carla Duval’s high-profile divorce case against Morgan Henderson.
Highly experienced, intelligent and confident, Budgie brings extensive legal knowledge and courtroom expertise to the firm.
Episodes: 7.
Interesting facts: Imrie won an Olivier Award for her performance in Acorn Antiques: The Musical! and has written several novels, including Not Quite Nice and A Nice Cup of Tea.
Notable Works: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Better Things, The Diplomat.
Akiya Henry as Nora Okafor
DOB: N/A.
Akiya Henry is an actress whose work includes British television and stage performance.
She has appeared in productions across contemporary drama and other television genres, developing experience in ensemble casts where characters’ relationships and individual decisions contribute to the larger story.
Role: Nora Okafor is a key member of the Taylor & Byrne legal team, which represents Carla Duval in her high-profile divorce case against Morgan Henderson.
Quick-thinking, resourceful and highly skilled, Nora is trusted to attend important meetings and contribute to the firm’s legal strategy.
Episodes: 8.
Interesting facts: Henry’s professional credits include roles in Death in Paradise, Silent Witness, Protection and Malice.
Notable Works: Death in Paradise, Silent Witness, Casualty, Macbeth.
Kartanya Maynard as Suzie Levitnik
DOB: N/A.
Australian actress, musician and poet of Trawlwoolway heritage from nipaluna/Hobart in Tasmania.
She studied music at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music, before developing her career in acting and creative performance.
Role: Suzie Levitnik is a resourceful young woman whose involvement becomes important in the divorce battle between Morgan Henderson and Carla Duval.
Working for Cathcarts & Sons, she is sent to serve Carla with divorce papers at a red-carpet event, disrupting the rival firm’s plans to deliver the documents first.
Episodes: 7.
Interesting facts: Maynard is a multi-disciplinary artist who works as an actress, musician and poet.
Notable Works: Deadloch, The Messenger, Gold Diggers, Heartbreak High.
More Actors
• Angel Coulby as Gillian Pope.
• Patrick Fabian as Eric McDaniel.
• Rose Williams as Flora Monroe.
• Clifford Samuel as Vonnte Adams.
• Honor Swinton Byrne as Bella Croft.
• Shaheen Jafargholi as Saeed Masood.
• Adrianna Pawlowska as Magda.
• Alexandra Mardell as Cleo Hyland.
• Emma Laird as Molly Giordano.
• Femi Elufowoju Jr. as Simon Campbell.
FAQ – War (2026) TV Series
What is War (2026) TV series about?
War is a British legal drama about two rival London law firms, Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne, competing in a high-profile divorce case involving technology billionaire Morgan Henderson and international film star Carla Duval.
What genre is War (2026)?
War is a legal drama with elements of thriller, mystery, family conflict and dark comedy.
Will there be a War Season 2?
Yes. A second season has been confirmed and will explore a different legal battle while retaining the series’ wider legal world. Announced cast members include Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald and David Harewood.
How many episodes are in War Season 1?
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, released weekly.
Where can you watch War (2026)?
The series is available on HBO and HBO Max in the United States, and on Sky and NOW in the United Kingdom. Availability varies by country.
Conclusion
War (2026) is an engaging legal drama filled with rivalry, betrayal and ambition.
With a strong ensemble cast and high-stakes conflicts, it offers an entertaining watch for fans of courtroom battles and complicated relationships.