Jason Momoa is headed back to Apple TV+, but this time he’s swapping the dystopian future of See for the rich and complex history of his own roots. His next project, Chief of War, is officially set to premiere on Friday, August 1, 2025, with the first two episodes dropping upfront and new ones rolling out every Friday through September 19.
And from the looks of the just-released first-look image, this is going to be one epic ride through Hawaiian history.
Created by Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett—both of whom share Native Hawaiian heritage—Chief of War takes viewers deep into the late 18th century, chronicling the unification and colonization of Hawai’i through the lens of its Indigenous people. Momoa leads the charge as Ka’iana, a fearless warrior fighting to bring the islands together just as the shadow of Western colonization begins to loom.
But this isn’t your typical history lesson. This series comes with heart, heat, and a predominantly Polynesian cast that includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka. It’s giving authenticity, representation, and reverence for a story that’s long overdue on screen.
And the creative team behind the camera? Just as stacked. Doug Jung (Star Trek Beyond) serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, and Brian Mendoza. Justin Chon (Pachinko, Blue Bayou) steps in to direct the first two episodes and executive produce, while Momoa himself is directing the season finale. You can feel the personal passion baked into every part of this project—from casting to storytelling to behind the scenes.
Produced by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment, Chief of War marks another major swing for Apple TV+, which continues to build out its slate of global stories with cultural specificity. This one? It’s not just prestige TV—it’s a reclamation of narrative, told by the people who lived it, or in this case, carry the legacy.
Following the success of See, Chief of War is Momoa’s next big swing at storytelling on a global scale—and from what we’ve seen so far, it just might be his most powerful yet.
Mark your calendars for August 1, and get ready to witness a side of Hawaiian history we’ve rarely seen spotlighted with this kind of scope and respect.