‘Chief of War’ teaser: Jason Momoa must unify the Hawaiian islands in Apple TV’s intense historical drama

With music produced by Hans Zimmer and James Everingham, the series premieres on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes on August 1

Apple TV+ on Wednesday (May 21) unveiled the teaser of its upcoming Hawaiian historical drama series, Chief of War. The series is headlined by Jason Momoa, who has also co-written and co-created the show, apart from executive producing and directing the season finale.

“You will see a prophecy fulfilled, Ka’iana. The path is yours to find,” says a voiceover as we see Ka’iana (Momoa) unify the Hawaiian islands before Western colonisation in the late 18th century. According to Apple TV, the nine-episode show is based on real events.

Momoa created the show along with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. Doug Jung has served as the showrunner. Momoa and Pa’a Sibbett wrote the pilot and finale episodes, while Jung wrote episodes 2-8, said a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

Chief of War features a predominantly Polynesian cast. Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes feature in the cast of the series.

Chief of War has a theme music written by Hans Zimmer, who also co-produced the score of the series with composer James Everingham. Produced by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment for Apple TV+, the series will premiere on August 1 with the first two episodes, with successive episodes releasing every Friday through September 19.

Published - May 22, 2025 11:03 am IST