David Farnor | On 24, May 2025

“Are you still the chief who desires peace over war?” “Not today.” That’s the sound of Jason Momoa returning to Apple TV+ for Chief of War.

The epic historical drama stars Momoa, who previously led Apple TV+ sci-fi series See. Now, he’s stepping behind the camera too for a more personal project.

Creating by Momo and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, the series follows the unification and colonisation of Hawai‘i from an indigenous perspective.

Amidst the beautiful backdrop of the islands, the nine-episode series is based on true events and follows warrior Ka‘iana (Momoa), as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonisation in the late 18th century.

It is a passion project for its creators, who share native Hawaiian heritage. The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa alongside Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.

Produced for Apple TV+ by FIFTH SEASON and Chernin Entertainment, the project has Doug Jung as showrunner, who executive produces along with Sibbett, Momoa, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Andrew Mendoza. Justin Chon directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer. Anders Engström, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also serve as executive producers. Momoa directs the season finale. Hans Zimmer wrote the theme music and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with composer James Everingham.

The series premieres on Friday 1st August, when the first two episodes land together – followed by new episodes weekly until 19th September.

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