Jason Momoa is back in battle — this time for a passion project years in the making. The “Game of Thrones” and “Aquaman” star teams up with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett for Apple’s “Chief of War,” based on true events in 18th century Hawai’i, for an ambitious nine-episode series unlike anything else on television.
The series follows warrior Ka‘iana (Momoa), a celebrated fighter from Puna, Hawai’i, who seeks to unite the tribes and islands against Western colonizers, At his side is Ka’ahumanu (“The Night Agent” star Luciane Buchanon), who calls Ka’iana “the fist of our people” in the face of almost certain war. As he prepares his community for the coming conflict, he must make a case for King Kahekili (Temuera Morrison) to lead the island, fight for their lives, and protect as many people as possible. The trailer depicts clashes on land and sea, with hundreds of background actors and hand-to-hand combat that showcases Momoa’s physicality on screen.
“This is your home,” Ka’iana declares in the trailer. “This land will hold you long after I’m gone… this is your home.”
“Chief of War” tackles its true story from the often ignored Indigenous perspective, with a majority Polynesian cast that includes 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. Doug Jung serves as showrunner and executive produces along with Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, and Brian Andrew Mendoza. The first two episodes are directed by executive producer Justin Chon, and Momoa will direct the ninth and final episode of the season.
Anders Engström, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also serve as executive producers, and the musical score is co-produced by James Everingham and Hans Zimmer, who wrote the show’s theme music. This is the second collaboration from Momoa and Sibbett, who worked together on 2023’s “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom,” and the second major project between Momoa and Apple after the three-season dystopic series “See.”
“Chief of War” premieres with two episodes August 1 on Apple TV+, with new episodes weekly. Watch the trailer below.