Apple TV+ releases the first look of Chief of War starring Jason Momoa

Apple TV+ has officially publicised a first look at Chief of War, an attention-grabbing historical drama co-created by Jason Momoa, who also leads the show.

The series, set against the backdrop of Hawai’i, dives into the tussles of a warrior named Ka’iana as he fights to unify the islands before the impending danger of Western colonization.

With a cast containing a range of talent, the new Apple TV+ show is on its way to bring in a fresh and never-before-seen perspective to an important moment in Hawaiian history.

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A cinematic dive into Hawaiian history with Jason Momoa's Chief of War

Scheduled to have its release on August 1, Chief of War narrates the story of Ka’iana, a warrior finding his way through the intricacies of power, customs, and survival during the latter half of the 18th century.

The nine-episode series will journey through the political and customary mayhem of the said era, exhibiting the fusion of Hawai’i from an aboriginal viewpoint —an approach rarely seen on camera.

Jason Momoa leads the cast. Some of the other cast members consist of Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

The production, led by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment, brings forth a commanding team of artists and creators. Along with co-creating the show and starring as the lead, Momoa has also directed the finale episode, and he also acts as the executive producer with Doug Jung.

Other executive producers for Chief of War include: Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, Brian Mendoza, Justin Chon, Anders Engstrom, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence, and Tim Van Patten.

With Chief of War, he not only leads the cast but also takes up creative liberties where he puts forward his passion for the Hawaiian heritage, something that mainstream media has not covered much before.

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Chief of War will be exclusively released on Apple TV+ on August 1, 2025.

The first two episodes will drop together on August 1, with new episodes dropping every Friday until the season finale.

As historical TV shows find a newer set of niche and strong viewers, Apple TV+ is currently drowning in this specific genre with shows like Pachinko and The Buccaneers.

Now, with Jason Momoa's new series set to have its release, the platform is set to bring out yet another action-packed, character-driven story that throws enough light on a native point of view through historical settings.

By merging real-life events with creative liberties taken for storytelling, the new Jason Momoa historical series is on its way to draw audiences towards it with its rich storytelling and stunning visuals.