The Split meets Celebrity Traitors: Why Celia Imrie’s new legal drama War will show what betrayal really means
If, like us, you’ve sort of fallen in love with Celia Imrie on BBC One’s Celebrity Traitors, you’ll like what we’re about to tell you next. Our new TV icon has landed a role in Sky’s explosive new series, War, and forget Faithfuls and Traitors, The Split-esque series is set to show what betrayal really means.
The upcoming drama will introduce us to two rival London law firms – Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne – and they’re about to go to war as a scandalous divorce case kicks off. On one side of the divorce, we’ve got tech titan Morgan Henderson (Dominic West), and on the other, film star Carla Duval (Sienna Miller). And things are about to get pretty dirty.
Photographer://BBC
Celia isn’t the only Celebrity Traitors star to have joined the cast, with Nick Mohammed also joining as a series regular – but will they be on the same side? Ahead of War’s arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about the new legal thriller, including the full cast, plot and how to watch it.
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What is War about?
Dave Benett
The new legal thriller follows two of London’s most prestigious rival firms – Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne – as they go head-to-head in the divorce case of the century. The case in question is the divorce of tech titan Morgan Henderson (Dominic West) and film star Carla Duval (Sienna Miller). According to Sky, it’s “a scandalous divorce case that sends shockwaves through boardrooms, bedrooms, and courtrooms alike.”
The synopsis continues, “Each side is certain they’ll win. But as the case spirals and loyalties fracture, reputations are on the line, and everyone’s playing to win. This is just the beginning – season one’s explosive case is the first in an anthology of headline-making legal battles.”
BBC
War’s creator and writer George Kay, has said of the upcoming series: “I am excited to be working with Sky and HBO – two homes for bold, ambitious storytelling – and our brilliant production team. War is a legal drama full of double crossing, scandal, twists and betrayal. The kind of TV show that made me want to write TV shows.”
Celia Imrie and Nick Mohammed are the latest cast members to be announced, with the pair set to play series regulars Budgie and Michael Stefanou. Willow Grylls, Executive Producer and CEO of production company New Pictures has described the show’s characters as “incredibly compelling”, teasing that they “will have audiences rooting for them, despite the underhand tactics, dirty tricks and win at all cost mentality they bring to battle against each other in – and out – of court”.
Gareth Cattermole
Meghan Lyvers, Executive Director of Original Scripted, Sky, added: “We are thrilled to be working with George, Ben, Willow and team on WAR. The show is ambitious and provocative, brimming with unforgettable characters. It challenges the notions of power, identity, and success. We are proud to partner with New Pictures, Observatory Pictures and HBO on this distinctly modern drama.”
Who’s in the cast of War?
Jeff Spicer
The cast of War includes:
- Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown)
- Sienna Miller (Anatomy of a Scandal, American Sniper)
- Celia Imrie (The Thursday Murder Club)
- Nick Mohammed (Slow Horses, Ted Lasso)
- Phoebe Fox (The Great, Task)
- James McArdle (Playing Nice, Mare of Easttown)
- Nina Sosanya (Screw, Baby Reindeer)
- Pip Torrens (Succession, The Crown)
- Archie Renaux (Alien: Romulus, Upgraded)
How can I watch War?
Sky hasn’t yet shared a release date for War, but we’re expecting it to arrive on Sky and streaming service NOW at some point in 2026. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here.
What other legal dramas can I watch now?
Alamy
This year’s standout legal drama has to beI Fought the Law, which stars Sheridan Smith as real-life double jeopardy campaigner Ann Ming and is both a heartbreaking and empowering watch. You can catch up on ITVX now. Another brilliant series is Matlock, in which Kathy Bates plays Madeline Kingston, aka lawyer Madeline “Matty” Matlock, who’s secretly operating under the alias at a prestigious law firm after the death of her daughter to an opioid overdose. For more great legal dramas, you can check out our round-up of the very best here.
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