Jason Momoa’s Chief of Warfare is dominant on Apple TV+. Momoa has appeared in a number of outstanding franchise roles up to now decade, portraying Aquaman for DC, Duncan Idaho in Dune (2021), and The Rubbish Man in A Minecraft Film (2025). Outdoors of main franchises, nevertheless, he additionally appeared as Baba Voss in Apple TV+’s See from 2019 to 2022.
Whereas See got here to an finish, Momoa elected to return to Apple TV+ for Chief of Warfare, which tells the story of a battle chief’s determined rise up in opposition to Kamehameha the Nice in Hawaii. The nine-episode sequence premiered on August 1 and is predicted to conclude on September 19 in an episode directed by Momoa himself.
In line with Apple TV+, Momoa’s newest present is already topping the charts. It’s presently the #1 TV present on Apple TV+, debuting forward of Basis, Smoke, Stick, and Ted Lasso. It’s the solely drama present on that checklist, which definitely proves that it’s a distinctive launch for the streaming big.
What This Means For Chief Of Warfare
Whereas it’s thrilling to see Chief of Warfare incomes comparatively sturdy viewership, it’s debuting with no main competitors. In any case, Ted Lasso is presently in fifth place on Apple TV’s charts, and that present has not had any new episodes since 2023.
Chief of Warfare has been well-received. The present has already earned an 89% Tomatometer rating on the evaluate aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and a 74% rating on the audience-led Popcornmeter. Critics praised the present’s motion and storytelling, however a lot of the opinions named Momoa because the sequence’ greatest draw.
Mamoa’s subsequent main roles will come within the 2026 releases Dune: Half Three (Duncan Idaho) and Supergirl (Lobo).
Regardless of its restricted attain, Chief of Warfare options considered one of Momoa’s greatest roles, in accordance with these critics, which is probably going why the present is already so outstanding. Apple TV+ must market the sequence extra broadly to make sure that it’s not simply competing with previous releases, however it is a promising begin for the sequence.
Our Take On Chief Of Warfare’s Success
Whereas many reveals stumble with their pilots, it is a sequence that definitely deserves to succeed. ScreenRant’s Greg MacArthur reviewed Chief of Warfare and located that it “is Apple TV+’s best shot at a Shōgun rival”, as it’s “highly entertaining while also being educational”. The “visceral” motion can be a key draw for the drama.
Momoa, who’s a Native Hawaiian, acknowledged that he made the present as a result of he needed “to make my family proud”. Because it debuts on the high of Apple TV+’s charts, whereas remaining true to historical past and the wrestle that the Hawaiian folks confronted, Chief of Warfare is already achieved and will definitely be making Momoa and his household proud.
Supply: Apple TV+
Chief of Warfare
7/10
Launch Date
August 1, 2025
Community
Apple TV+