Pip Torrens, an actor who has appeared in Midsomer Murders twice, has taken on the role of a heartless lawyer in the highly anticipated legal drama WAR, which stars Dominic West and Sienna Miller.
The upcoming Sky series follows two of London’s most prestigious rival law firms, with the first season focusing on a high-profile divorce battle between Hollywood A-lister Carla Duval (played by Miller) and her tech-titan husband, Morgan Henderson (West). Torrens plays St John Smallwood, a sardonic leader of the opposing team, prepared to win the legal war no matter the cost.
Torrens on playing a powerful character
Speaking to Radio Times about his latest role, the 66-year-old actor said the key to playing a lawyer was confidence, adding: “There’s a real attraction in playing a powerful character because you’re embracing an amorality you can’t afford in your own life. I’ve played a lot of unpleasant people, and it’s therapeutic, a kind of cleansing process.”
Torrens is known for playing courtier Tommy Lascelles in The Crown, Cary Warleggan in Poldark, and Herr Klaus Helmut Starr in Preacher. He has also appeared in Midsomer Murders in two episodes, as Group Captain Jeremy Ford and Fergal Jenner. He was grateful to have had such a varied career, saying: “I sometimes look at my most recent work and think it’s basically the same performance in a different wig. But the shows are incredibly different, and the biggest shift in my career happened in about two weeks. I went straight from doing a very intimate, intense scene with Claire Foy in The Crown to playing this mad Nazi doing a Full Metal Jacket spoof completely naked in a sports centre.”
Cast and plot details
The eight-episode first season also sees young lawyer Johnny Warren (Archie Renaux) brought on board, as he “enters a ruthless world where every decision could make or break careers, reputations and lives”. Sky explained the plot: “The eight-part series delves into the high-stakes lives of London’s most powerful lawyers as firms Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne clash over a headline-grabbing legal battle.”
There are high hopes for the show as season two has already been confirmed, and will star Marissa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald, and David Harewood. George Kay, creator and writer, teased: “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.” The star-studded cast also features Nina Sosanya, Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed and Miles Jupp.
Recent roles and fan reactions
Torrens has had a busy few years, landing recent roles in the financial thriller Industry and the Apple TV hit Down Cemetery Road. He also played Commissioner Charles Dawes in the BBC staple Sherwood, and Peter Munion in the iconic series Succession.
Sky released the official trailer for WAR, showing Torrens as St John Smallwood telling his client Morgan Henderson: “Thanks to me, you are bulletproof.” But as the high-profile case turns into a “PR war”, Smallwood starts to fear the opposition has the advantage. Viewers expressed their excitement over the series, with one saying: “Looks great! What a fantastic cast! Very much looking forward to seeing this! Roll on 2nd October!” Another added: “Can’t wait to watch this series, it looks epic. All’s fair in love and war…” One fan was excited to see Torrens specifically, saying: “Pip Torrens (Tommy Lascelles) being a scathing force!” Another expressed: “Dominic West, Sienna Miller great, but I could listen to Pip Torrens recite a 1,000-item shopping list and will be enthralled.” WAR is coming to Sky and NOW on October 2.
