Critic Reviews

HBO’s War is heaven: an absolute blast of a TV show.

War has such a phenomenal first season that it could easily find a place among the greats if it maintains the quality in future seasons.

It’s not just the leads who make a positive impression. “War” benefits from a stacked supporting cast. .... Combine their talents with Kay’s high-stakes, propulsive plotting, and choosing “War” turns out to be one of the best, most engrossing TV options of 2026.

“War” soars because it goes beyond the obvious. The series thrives because it offers glimmers of humanity sliced between moments of sabotage and betrayal. Miller and West are highly believable as two people who once shared a deep affection for each other.

Despite the heaviness of the title, War is a frothy and fabulous series that manages to hold down a certain level of prestige TV sheen.

The show has a lot going for it. The first episode is irresistible, but from episode two onwards it becomes easier to resist as you start wishing for more West and Miller, fewer backroom legal meetings.

War deserves to bathe in the positivity it should garner for being the best British legal drama in years.

The eight-part series is sophisticated, complicated and appallingly enjoyable.

War understands better than anyone that sometimes what matters in a tale is not how factually true or morally righteous it is, but how compellingly it sweeps you along for the ride.

War comes with corporate espionage; a heavy dose of soapy interpersonal drama; and, as is typical for a British series, tons of class resentment — but the show, created by Lupin and Hijack’s George Kay, carries its twists and turns with aplomb.