Sienna Miller and Dominic West’s ‘War’ Divorce Drama Receives Mixed Reviews

Nasty divorces have always made for compelling television, and few scenarios are more entertaining than wealthy individuals battling over assets. HBO and Sky have centered this concept in a polished legal thriller that showcases a movie star clashing with a tech billionaire.

The outcome is ‘War,’ a new drama from ‘Lupin’ and ‘Hijack’ creator George Kay, featuring Sienna Miller and Dominic West. It premiered on HBO on October 1 and on Sky in the UK on October 2, and it streams on HBO Max in the US and various other regions.

Initial reviews are in, and the divorce drama has generally received positive feedback, especially from British critics. Variety described it as thoroughly captivating, commending Kay’s signature twists and the exploration of the emotional fallout from a failing marriage, while NPR labeled it a well-cast, classy-trashy drama that blends high stakes with moments of humanity.

The first season follows Morgan Henderson (West), a tech mogul, and his wife Carla Duval (Miller), an A-list actress whose fame is beginning to wane. As their marriage crumbles, two rival London law firms, Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne, will stop at nothing to win for their clients.

The pilot opens in London, where Morgan is celebrating a Pioneer of the Year award. He then engages in a one-night stand that turns out to be a honey trap set by Carla to confirm his infidelity once and for all.

The supporting cast features Phoebe Fox, James McArdle, Archie Renaux, Nina Sosanya, and Pip Torrens as the lawyers on both sides, alongside Celia Imrie and Nick Mohammed. Ben Taylor directs all eight episodes based on Kay’s scripts.

Many critics highlighted the performances of the leads. TechRadar was impressed by how much Miller and West contribute to their roles, calling the series British legal drama at its finest, while Collider noted that the duo makes for great adversaries and plays their parts with style.

The British press has been particularly favorable. According to Index, most UK outlets awarded the series 4 stars, with The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan reportedly calling it pure enjoyment, and the New York Times praising Miller’s performance.

However, not all reviews were positive. IndieWire provided a harsh critique, arguing that the show fails to develop characters capable of sustaining multiple seasons and that viewers may struggle to care about anyone involved. TV Guide described it as watchable but lacking depth, while Collider mentioned that after a few episodes, it starts to feel somewhat hollow and more focused on tactics than on character.

The show’s origin story is particularly intriguing. Kay reportedly conceived the idea while waiting in line at an airport, overhearing a woman answer her phone with a joyful yes.

When he inquired about her celebration, she revealed that her painful, years-long divorce had finally concluded, and she had received a substantial financial settlement. This encounter inspired him to craft a drama about money, power, and the emotional conflict that accompanies the dissolution of a wealthy marriage.

Divide then conquer. Starring Sienna Miller and Dominic West, #WARHBO premieres October 1 on HBO Max. https://t.co/xPaS0UPkMU

— HBO Max (@hbomax) September 17, 2026

‘War’ is designed as an anthology, with each season focusing on a new case handled by the same two rival law firms. Season 2 has already been greenlit and is currently in production, with Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald, David Harewood, and Richard Schiff reportedly joining the cast.

For those catching up, the first season airs weekly on Thursdays on HBO through November 19. With such divided reviews, the ultimate verdict will come from the audience.

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