Dominic West is currently weighing how much he would accept for a scene in the new BBC series War, where he plays a powerful social media billionaire. The eight-part legal drama, co-starring Sienna Miller as a narcissistic film star, delves into the turbulent world of high-profile divorce cases. West and Miller, who previously collaborated in a West End production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It 21 years ago, share strong chemistry on screen—but in this story, they portray a divorcing couple consumed by mutual disdain. The series was inspired by a chance conversation the show’s creator, George Kay, overheard in an airport lounge about a woman’s experience after a four-year divorce battle. War explores the high-stakes world of celebrity divorces, complete with prenuptial agreements, infidelities, and disputes over property and assets. Kay, who has previously worked with writer Abi Morgan on the acclaimed series The Hour, aimed to craft a show that combines the sharp dialogue and humor of 90s legal dramas like Ally McBeal and The Good Wife. The cast includes a number of comedic actors, such as Miles Jupp and Nick Mohammed, who play rival solicitors in the legal battles depicted in the show. The series also draws from real-life events, including a scene inspired by a moment when Olivia Wilde was involved in serving custody papers on behalf of Jason Sudeikis. The show highlights the intense public scrutiny that celebrities face during divorce proceedings, a topic both West and Miller have personal experience with. West faced marital scrutiny in 2020, while Miller endured years of intense media attention during her relationship with Jude Law, including the infamous phone-hacking scandal by the News of the World. Miller has spoken about the challenge of playing a character with unappealing traits, noting the discomfort of not being emotionally invested in how others react to her performance. West, on the other hand, found it difficult to portray a “benign billionaire,” drawing on the BBC podcast Good Bad Billionaire to understand the mindset of such individuals. The second season of War will focus on a defamation case between rival law firms. Both West and Miller have said the show has made them rethink the idea of divorce, emphasizing how large sums of money can erode relationships and lead to conflict, even in marriages once filled with love. West, who has been married since 2010, and Miller, who is engaged to actor Oli Green, have both spoken about the stress and bitterness that can accompany high-stakes divorces.