Phoebe Fox, the 39-year-old actress known for her work in theatre and television, revealed that she nearly stepped away from her leading role in the drama series *War* upon discovering she was pregnant with her second child. The series, which features Fox alongside Sienna Miller and Dominic West, began shooting its second season on the day she was due to give birth.
Shortly after being cast as Serena Byrne, a sharp and determined lawyer navigating a complex legal world, Fox informed producers of her pregnancy and initially offered to leave the role. However, the production team responded with support, choosing to incorporate her pregnancy into the storyline and adapting filming arrangements to accommodate her needs. Fox described the experience as empowering, noting the rarity of female characters portrayed on screen visibly pregnant without the pregnancy being the principal plot point.
In *War*, Byrne is a managing partner alongside her on-screen husband, played by James McArdle, and is tasked with representing Miller’s character, an actress embroiled in a costly divorce with a tech mogul portrayed by West. The show highlights the morally ambiguous behavior of lawyers, a theme Fox describes as heightened for dramatic effect. The series also depicts Byrne grappling with the challenges of pregnancy and career, including her frustrations over the perceived gender inequities in the legal profession. Fox consulted with a practicing family lawyer to shape her character’s realistic experience, noting that family law tends to be female-dominated and relatively understanding of pregnancy, though Byrne’s high-heeled footwear contrasts with the physical demands of her condition.
Fox also reflected on the support she and Miller received on set, with crew members regularly offering snacks and seating. Miller herself was pregnant during filming, though her character’s pregnancy was not written into the series, leading to creative efforts to conceal it.
Beyond *War*, Fox shared insights from her own career and training. Educated at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), she described a challenging learning environment characterized by intense pressure and, at times, harsh treatment from instructors. She recounted particularly difficult encounters with the late director Bill Gaskill, whose teaching style she labeled as bullying. RADA issued a statement expressing regret over her experience and reaffirmed its commitment to training that prioritizes respect and care.
Since graduating, Fox has built a respected career, earning nominations for an Olivier Award for her stage work in *A View from the Bridge* and for television accolades for her role in the series *The Great*. She emphasized the personal changes motherhood has brought to her approach, citing increased confidence and selectiveness in her projects. After her first child, she questioned the demands of her profession, especially regarding time away from family, but affirmed her continued passion for acting.
*War* is currently available for streaming on Now, offering viewers a glimpse into the intricacies of high-stakes family law through Fox’s nuanced portrayal of Serena Byrne.