Apple TV+’s ‘Chief of War’ Release Schedule

Apple TV+ boldly kicked off August with Chief of War, a series that promises to wrap viewers up in its gripping narrative. Starring Jason Momoa in its lead role, the series is a sweeping historical drama set against the backdrop of Hawai’i’s unification and colonization in the late 1700s. However, what truly sets this story apart, together with its epic scale and battle-heavy storytelling, is the voice behind it.

Created by Jason Momoa himself, together with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, Chief of War is deeply personal and rooted in the indigenous history and oral traditions of the Hawaiian people. With a cast made up almost entirely of Polynesian actors and dialogue delivered in the Hawaiian language, the series is already making waves for placing native voices and experiences at the center of a genre that often leaves them out. The result is a show that feels both grand and intimate, arriving at a time when audiences are hungry for more inclusive narratives.

When Do ‘Chief of War’ Episodes Drop?

Apple TV+ kicked off the series with a double-episode premiere on August 1, 2025. Episodes 1, titled “Chief of War,” and 2, titled “Changing Tides,” hit the streamer on day one and packed a punch. Moving forward, the network will settle into a steady cadence, releasing one new episode every Friday at midnight ET, with the final episode set to release on September 19, 2025.

At the time of writing, Episodes 1 and 2 are already available, giving viewers a dramatic entry into Ka’iana’s journey. Episode 1 introduces Ka’iana returning from exile, facing betrayal, and being forced into war under King Kahekili. Episode 2 dives into a dangerous escape, the rising figure of Ka’ahumanu, and the arrival of British sailors that reshapes the stakes. With this strong foundation already laid out, the series has successfully left viewers primed for the weekly build-up. With Chief of War comprising a total of nine episodes, the release schedule for the remaining seven episodes is as follows:

What Is ‘Chief of War’ About, and Who Is In It?

At its core, Chief of War is a nine-episode historical drama that charts the rise, conflict, and fallout surrounding Ka’iana, a warrior chief who reluctantly becomes a key figure in the unification of Hawai’i’s four kingdoms at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The series begins with Ka’iana returning from self-imposed exile to assist King Kahekili of Maui in a bloody campaign against O’ahu. However, he soon uncovers betrayal, prophecy, and shifting loyalties.

Jason Momoa, starring in the role of Ka’iana, also co-created and co-wrote every episode, even directing the season finale. His co-creator, Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, shares Momoa’s Hawaiian heritage, and, similarly to Momoa, undoubtedly played a role in shaping the intimate, culturally grounded narrative. The creative team includes showrunner Doug Jung, and directors including Justin Chon, Anders Engström, Brian Andrew Mendoza and Momoa. The ensemble cast is predominantly Polynesian and features Temuera Morrison (King Kahekili), Luciane Buchanan (Ka’ahumanu), Cliff Curtis (Keōua) and newcomers such as Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, James Udom, and Te Ao O’Hinepehinga Rauna.

Chief of War was filmed partly in Hawaii and New Zealand and has afforded significant importance to remaining authentic. The series uses hand-built canoes, historically accurate battle tactics, dialogue in the Hawaiian language, and cultural advice at every step to ensure the show stays true to its roots. In doing so, the series has become a reclamation of indigenous history, featuring politics, legacy, and colonization with honor and grandeur.

What Do Audiences Think of ‘Chief of War’?

Reception for Chief of War is already pouring in, and it is overwhelmingly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics have awarded the series an 89% approval rating, while audience scores hover quite close with a solid 75%. This shows the broad enthusiasm that both critics and viewers alike have for the show’s ambition and authenticity. Critics have praised the series as a bold historical epic that brings indigenous Hawaiian storytelling to a global stage with cinematic scope and emotional weight.

RogerEbert.com has praised the series, highlighting the “spectacle and rich character work” and the breathtaking cinematography that elevates the experience to something truly cinematic. ScreenRant has also commended the series, zeroing in on Chief of War‘s commitment to history. As per the site:

“Chief of War’s greatest achievement is how absorbed it is in its rich history…the use of extreme and traditional forms of violence is a harrowing and visceral portrayal of Hawaiian tribal culture. There’s history written into every aspect of Chief of War, which is evidence of how much Momoa, who also co-created the show, poured his heart into its execution.”

With nine episodes mapped from August 1, 2025, through September 19, 2025, and a release strategy that has paired a bold double-drop with weekly installments every Friday, Chief of War is delivering a steady flow of immersive storytelling. Critics and audiences alike are already responding quite enthusiastically to the series, commending Chief of War‘s commitment to authenticity and praising the show for being a visual spectacle and a story told from the perspective of those whose ancestors actually lived it. As episodes continue dropping each week, audiences can undoubtedly expect the conversation to deepen and the fanbase to steadily grow.

Episode 3 of Chief of War is scheduled to release on August 8, 2025, on Apple TV+.