Jason Momoa’s first television role was on what show? If you guessed Baywatch: Hawaii, *DING DING DING* you’d be correct. The Hawaiian native also starred on prime time Fox soap opera, North Shore, also set in his home state. Okay, so those probably weren’t great, but now Momoa is taking it into his own hands to make sure Hawaii’s history is represented in a better light, in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Chief of War.
Momoa is deeply involved in Chief of War in just about every respect. Not only does he star in the 9-episode miniseries as real-life Hawaiian warrior chief Ka’iana, but he co-created the series with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, co-wrote the first episode, and directs the series finale. The first two episodes are directed by Justin Chon, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Gook and Blue Bayou.
The cast is stacked with talented folks from top to bottom, most of Polynesian descent. Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka co-star. Morrison previously worked with Momoa on DC’s Aquaman movies, playing his father Tom Curry.
SYNOPSIS: Performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast led by Jason Momoa, “Chief of War” follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘i at the turn of the 18th century. The ensemble cast includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka.
Chief of War hits Apple TV+ on August 1st with two episodes.
