Check out the trailer for the new HBO thriller ‘War’
Check out the trailer for the new HBO thriller ‘War’
The HBO Max legal drama follows rival firms battling through a messy, high-stakes divorce case.
Tara and I recently finished Season 2 of “Hijack” and it’s one of my favorite thrillers on TV right now. At this point, I’m pretty much showing up for anything George Kay does next. That’s why “War” immediately jumped out to me. It’s a slick, scandal-heavy legal drama set in the world of elite London law, with a stacked cast and a premise that feels built for twists. And the fact that it’s already locked in for two seasons tells you HBO Max and Sky are pretty confident in this one. The show premieres next week, and here’s everything you need to know about “War.”
Everything you need to know about ‘War’
When will episodes of ‘War’ come on HBO Max?
HBO Max has confirmed that “War” will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET. It will be available on both the streaming service and the HBO premium cable channel as well. The remaining installments in the eight-episode first season will roll out on the subsequent Thursdays through Nov. 19.
The show has already been picked up for a second season; you can already be confident that the story won’t end in November.
What is the ‘War’ Season 1 episode release schedule?
| Date | Time (ET) | Episode | Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Oct. 1 | 9 p.m. | Episode 1: It’s Done | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Oct. 8 | 9 p.m. | Episode 2 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | 9 p.m. | Episode 3 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | 9 p.m. | Episode 4 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | 9 p.m. | Episode 5 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Nov. 5 | 9 p.m. | Episode 6 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | 9 p.m. | Episode 7 | HBO Max |
| Thursday, Nov. 19 | 9 p.m. | Episode 8 | HBO Max |
Can you watch episodes of ‘War’ for free?
Probably not for free. HBO Max doesn’t offer a standard free trial anymore, so you’ll need a subscription to watch “War” when it drops. Plans currently start at $11 per month with ads or $18.50 per month ad-free, so it’s a pretty straightforward setup depending on how you like to watch.
HBO Max
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Watch the trailer for ‘War’
What is ‘War’ about?
“War” drops you right into the world of high-powered London law firms, where the only thing that matters is winning. The show centers on two elite rival firms, Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne, going head-to-head in what’s being called the divorce case of the century. At the center of it all is a massive, very public split between a tech billionaire and a global film star, and as you can imagine, things get messy fast.
But what makes this setup really interesting is that it’s not just a one-and-done story. The show is built as an anthology, which means each season will focus on a new headline-grabbing legal battle. Season 1 kicks things off with this explosive divorce, but the idea is that the world expands from there, pulling you into different cases where power, money, relationships, and reputation are all on the line. It feels less like a traditional courtroom drama and more like a mix of legal warfare, personal drama, and behind-the-scenes chaos.
Who stars in ‘War’?
The cast here is kind of ridiculous in a good way. Dominic West leads as Morgan Henderson, a tech titan whose divorce sets the whole story in motion. If you’ve seen him in “The Wire” or “The Crown,” you already know he can play complicated, powerful characters who don’t always make the best decisions. Opposite him is Sienna Miller as Carla Duval, his estranged wife and an international film star, which adds another layer of public scrutiny and pressure to the case.
Beyond that, you’ve got some really strong supporting players on both sides of the legal battle. Phoebe Fox and James McArdle play key figures at one of the rival firms, while Nina Sosanya and Pip Torrens anchor the opposing side. And then there’s Archie Renaux as a younger, ambitious lawyer who’s clearly trying to make his mark in this world. More recently, the cast has expanded even further with Celia Imrie and Nick Mohammed joining as series regulars, which is a fun combo if you’ve seen either of them pop up in other projects.
Get a first look at ‘War’
Click images to expand to full size.
Who created ‘War’?
“War” comes from George Kay, who created “Hijack” and “Lupin,” which is honestly all I need to hear at this point. He’s got a real knack for building tense, fast-moving stories that still feel character-driven, and this looks like a natural extension of that. He’s serving as creator, writer, and showrunner here, with Ben Taylor directing.
WAR
An anthology series set in the elite world of London law following two rival firms, Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne, as they face off in a different headline-making legal battle each season.