Jason Momoa Stars in Teaser for Apple’s Sweeping True Story ‘Chief of War’

Momoa co-created and executive produces the nine-episode drama about a warrior trying to unite the Hawai'ian people against colonization.

History is often told by the “victors” — even if their path was wrong.

For example, it’s a conveniently heroic narrative to tell the story of a country founded by free people who rebelled against an oppressive monarchic regime. It’s less convenient to tell it from the perspective of everyone they stepped on to gain freedom (and sometimes borderline impossible thanks to systemic erasure). U.S. history is filled with the lost stories of Indigenous people, but Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett’s “Chief of War” wants to change that.

The upcoming Apple TV+ drama is a passion project for both Sibbett and Momoa, who also serves as star and writer and directed the season finale. He plays Ka’iana, a warrior who tries to unite the people of Hawai’i against European settlers in the late-18th century. The English navigator John Meares described his “Herculean appearance” as “replete with dignity,” and having “an air of distinction.” The one-minute teaser gives just a glimpse of the ambitious scale of this nine-episode series — gorgeous locations, detailed costumes, and massive battle sequences requiring background actors, spears, and ships. (And was that a shark??)

This is Momoa’s second major collaboration with Apple after the three-season sci-fi thriller “See” from creator Steven Knight (in which he also played a brave warrior). Joining him in the cast are Luciane Buchanan (“The Night Agent”), Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “The Book of Boba Fett”), 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 — many of whom have Polynesian roots. Grammy and Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer wrote the show’s main title theme music, and co-produced the score with composer James Everingham. Doug Jung serves as showrunner and executive produces along with Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Mendoza. Justin Chon directs the first two episodes and serves as executive producer. Anders Engstrom, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also serve as executive producers.

“Chief of War” premieres August 1 on Apple TV+, with new episodes airing every Friday through September 19. Watch the full teaser below.