Sky and HBO double down on George Kay legal drama

Sky and HBO have jointly committed to two series of a legal drama from Hijack creator George Kay.

Dominic West and Sienna Miller will star in eight-part War, co-produced by All3Media label New Pictures (Protection) and Kay’s indie Observatory Pictures. Sky brokered the two series deal.

Set in the elite world of London law, the first series will follow two rival London legal firms as they take on the divorce case of the century. West (The Crown) will star as a tech titan while Miller (Anatomy of a Scandal) will play his estranged film star wife.

The commission comes shortly after Kay landed landing Apple TV+ thriller series The Wanted Man, which he is also writing ad co-producing with New Pictures via his indie.

Kay will write and exec produce War alongside New Pictures’ chief executive Willow Grylls and Matt Sandford, and Sky’s Ben Taylor, Susan Breen, Andrea Dewsbury and Megan Spanjian. The series will be directed by Ben Taylor (Sex Education) and produced in association with Sky and HBO.

Also joining the cast as lawyers are, Phoebe Fox (The Great), James McArdle (Playing Nice), Nina Sosanya (Screw), Pip Torrens (Succession) and Archie Renaux (Alien: Romulus).

Kay, who is also behind Netflix’s Lupin and ITV dramas Litvinenko and The Long Shadow, said: “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.”

Grylls said: “George Kay has created an incredibly compelling cast of characters who 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. We are incredibly pleased to be trusted by Sky and HBO with a two series order to bring their stories to viewers around the world.”

Sky’s executive director of original scripted Meghan Lyvers added: “The show is ambitious and provocative, brimming with unforgettable characters. It challenges the notions of power, identity, and success.”

War will air on Sky and streaming services Now in the UK and Ireland and Wow in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and on HBO and HBO Max in the US, and stream on HBO Max in Australia.

Sales will be handled by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.