Sienna Miller and Dominic West's "War" Garners Critical Acclaim

The new Sky drama "War," starring Sienna Miller and Dominic West, has launched to widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its sharp writing and intense portrayal of a high-stakes divorce.

The eight-part series, which premiered last week, has been described as a "slick" and "rip-roaring battle of the sexes," earning four-star ratings from numerous publications.

"War" follows Carla, a Hollywood A-lister played by Miller, as she employs aggressive tactics to divorce her billionaire tech husband, Morgan, portrayed by West, who is determined to retain his assets. The narrative focuses on the dueling law firms representing each party and the extreme measures they take.

Critics have lauded the show's exploration of wealth, class, and legal maneuvering. The Guardian's Lucy Mangan called it "glorious delectation" and a "brilliant piece of balderdash" that serves as a "perfect antidote to life right now." Phil Harrison of the Independent noted that the series "skewers the wealthy and has a lot of fun in the process."

The New York Times commended Miller's performance as "deeply charismatic, complicated and sympathetic," while Variety highlighted that both actors "shine" in the "captivating divorce thriller."

Sabrina Barr of Metro described "War" as "savage TV," adding that it was "a fantastic watch" despite a slightly anticlimactic ending, and expressed a desire for more seasons.

Miller shared that the on-screen animosity between her and West, whom she knows well off-screen, made the performances even more engaging. "The more you love someone off-screen, the more fun it is to hate them on-screen," she told People magazine.

Creator George Kay conceived the idea for "War" after overhearing a woman at an airport celebrating the finalization of her lengthy and financially significant divorce. This sparked his interest in dramatizing the power struggles and emotional turmoil involved in the dissolution of ultra-wealthy marriages.

Miller also reflected on reaching the milestone age of 40, noting that she feels less pressure to prove herself professionally. She mentioned hearing from other actresses who felt their careers declined significantly at that age, though she humorously mused about potentially being too old to play roles like Juliet.

During filming, Miller was pregnant and 35 weeks along by the end of production. She welcomed her third child, her second with partner Oli Green, in April. Her co-star Phoebe Fox was also pregnant during the shoot, and her pregnancy was incorporated into the show's storyline.