There has been a resurgence of legal dramas lately, but the most interesting ones are moving beyond traditional courtroom stories. War, HBO’s latest legal drama, takes that approach and turns a celebrity divorce into an all-out war between rival London law firms. It arrives during another remarkable year for HBO, which continues to deliver one strong series after another.
HBO’s War is very much Industry meets Suits, but it develops a personality of its own. Created by George Kay, this 8-episode series a distinctly British edge. The result is a sleek, addictive and surprisingly vicious legal drama that proves we need more ambitious shows in this genre. Instead of focusing mainly on the couple, the show takes us inside the law firms handling the battle. It explores how ugly divorce proceedings can become when money, power and secrets enter the equation.
War is well directed and very well paced, with very little unnecessary padding. The show doesn’t slow down too much for character moments and focuses more on accelerating the drama. It also understands how to end episodes in ways that make you immediately want to watch another. The story keeps getting bigger without losing sight of its central divorce case. That balance is a major reason the series becomes increasingly addictive.
Dominic West and Sienna Miller lead the ensemble extremely well. Both bring plenty of confidence and personality to their respective roles. Archie Renaux also gets a great role and is arguably a co-lead alongside West and Miller. The entire ensemble is strong, with every major character getting moments to shine.
Pip Torrens is another standout and, as always, completely owns the scene whenever he appears. Emma Laird and Nick Mohammed feel slightly underutilised, though both still make an impression. The characters are also designed well, which gives the actors plenty of room to create distinct personalities. Nobody feels like they are simply there to move the plot forward.
What really works is the show’s understanding of legal warfare. These characters are not simply arguing inside a courtroom. They are strategising, manipulating and searching for weaknesses outside it. Every revelation changes the balance of power between the characters. The deeper we get into the case, the more complicated the relationships become.
The dialogue is another major strength. There is plenty of sharp, cool dialogue that gives the characters their own voices. The writing manages to make legal conversations entertaining without drowning the audience in technical jargon. The score also deserves plenty of credit. It elevates several scenes and makes it fun and energetic.
George Kay continues his streak of successes with another banger. He has proven himself to be one of the most prolific TV creators working today. His ability to build high-stakes stories around complicated characters is once again on full display here.
The biggest compliment I can give War is that it gets better and better with every episode. The story keeps expanding while the stakes continue rising. Just when you think you understand where the case is going, another secret changes everything. The narrative constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat about where it will head next. The finale is also particularly impressive and brings the story to a satisfying landing.
HBO almost never misses, and War is another winner. It is smart, addictive and consistently entertaining, with a terrific ensemble driving it. The series had already been renewed for a second season before the first season even aired. After watching it, it is easy to understand why. War is one of the best shows of the year and one of the most engaging legal dramas in recent memory.
