Creator George Kay Explains Plot Twist in HBO's 'War'

The inaugural episode of HBO's legal drama War establishes a contentious divorce between Martin Henderson (Dominic West) and Carla Duval (Sienna Miller), immediately introducing intricate legal maneuvering and personal betrayals.

Central to the unfolding drama is Johnny Warren (Archie Renaux), a character introduced as struggling to secure a position at a prestigious London law firm. Despite his efforts, he faces rejection, forcing him to return to his job as a waiter. His personal life is also strained, particularly by his girlfriend Bella's (Honor Swinton Byrne) friend Angus, who publicly humiliates him. This tension escalates when Johnny, after an altercation with Angus, seeks a new path.

The first episode culminates with Johnny receiving an on-the-spot job offer from Nicholas Taylor (James McArdle) and Serena Byrne (Phoebe Fox) of the firm Taylor & Byrne. However, this offer is revealed to be a ruse. Johnny has already been working as an informant, a mole, for the rival firm Cathcart & Sons, reporting on Carla Duval's legal strategy.

War creator George Kay described the reveal of Johnny's dual role as a twist born from narrative necessity. "Sometimes when you’re writing you box yourself into a corner and then you think, ‘Oh, what’s the kind of craziest thing you could do at this moment?’" Kay stated. "So then you have to sort of back structure it to build up to that twist."

Actor Archie Renaux shared that he learned about Johnny's duplicitous role early in the production process after reading the first two scripts, recognizing it as a compelling character arc. Kay emphasized that Johnny is not inherently malicious but is driven by a desire for professional advancement, calling his position "his only way to get a job as a lawyer." Renaux added that Johnny carries an "emotional baggage" and a "chip on his shoulder to prove to himself" that he deserves a place in the legal world, alongside his desperation.

Renaux, a London-born actor of Anglo-Indian heritage, previously gained recognition for his role in Netflix's Shadow & Bone. His other credits include the film Alien: Romulus, the romantic comedy Upgraded, and Lena Dunham's Catherine Called Birdy. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming dramedy Falling.