Co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, the sweeping historical saga tells the story of Hawai‘i’s unification and early colonization through an indigenous lens.
Apple TV+ has unveiled the first trailer for its upcoming historical drama Chief of War, a sweeping series that stars, is co-written by, and is executive produced by Jason Momoa. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Hawai‘i, the nine‑episode drama—based on true events—follows famed warrior Ka‘iana, played by Momoa, as he fights to bring the islands together on the eve of Western colonization in the late 1700s. The series launches globally on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes on Friday, August 1, 2025, followed by weekly releases every Friday through September 19.
A deeply personal project for creators Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, Chief of War is told entirely from an indigenous perspective, reflecting both creators’ Native Hawaiian roots. The series showcases a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa and joined by 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 by FIFTH SEASON and Chernin Entertainment, the series boasts a powerhouse creative team. Momoa directs the season finale and executive produces alongside showrunner Doug Jung, Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, and Brian Andrew Mendoza. Justin Chon directs the first two episodes and also serves as an executive producer. Additional executive producers include Anders Engström, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence, and Tim Van Patten. The score is anchored by theme music from Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who co-produced the soundtrack for all nine episodes with James Everingham during his tenure at Bleeding Fingers Music, the award-winning composer collective Zimmer co-founded in 2013.
Chief of War follows the global success of Momoa’s previous Apple TV+ series See. All three seasons of See are currently available to stream worldwide on Apple TV+.
