Jason Momoa Is Done With Peace in Apple’s ‘Chief of War’ Teaser

Jason Momoa seeks peace. But today, he wants a war.

Apple TV+ released the teaser trailer for its upcoming “epic historical drama” Chief of War on Wednesday. Momoa is not just a pretty face and burly body in this one — he co-created the series with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett (who also has Hawaiian heritage), writes the show, executive produces and directs the season finale.

The nine-episode series is “based on true events,” per Apple. It follows warrior Ka’iana (Momoa) as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. Chief of War will premiere with its first two episodes on Friday, August 1; new episodes will follow every Friday through September 19.

Chief of War features a predominantly Polynesian cast, also starring 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. 

The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment. Doug Jung serves as showrunner and executive produces along with Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Mendoza. Justin Chon directed the first two episodes and serves as executive producer. Anders Engstrom, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also executive produce. Hans Zimmer wrote the theme music and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with composer James Everingham.

Momoa previously starred in Apple TV+ series See, which ran for three seasons.