Apple TV’s Forgotten 9-Part War Drama Is One of Its Best Hidden Gems

2 weeks ago 13

Temuera Morrison, with his face half-painted, stands ready for war in Chief of War

Published May 16, 2026, 7:47 AM EDT

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

There are many Apple TV shows that everyone seems to know, ranging from the heartfelt comedy Ted Lasso to the tense sci-fi thriller Severance. However, one of the streamer's best series isn't on that list, though it deserves to be. Chief of War premiered in 2025, starring Jason Momoa in an epic story full of bloody battles, ambitious leaders, and ruthless invaders. Although the narrative is well-suited for television, it isn't fabricated. Instead, the series is largely based on real history, specifically exploring the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in the late 18th century.

Chief of War delivers nine epic episodes full of thrilling action, complex characters, and shocking developments. Despite its 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and open-ended finale, Apple TV has yet to renew it for a second season, leaving its future up in the air. Although it isn't the streamer's most well-known series, it's still a perfect binge for any fan of war dramas, epic stories, or real history.

What Is 'Chief of War' About?

Although Chief of War highlights several characters, including the ambitious Kahekili (Temuera Morrison) and the pragmatic Kaʻahumanu (Luciane Buchanan), the story primarily follows Momoa's Kaʻiana, a talented warrior who is forced to choose sides in a major conflict. Kahekili, the King of Maui, summons Ka'iana and his brothers to help him conquer O'ahu in fulfillment of a prophecy about the unification of Hawaii. However, the king convinces the doubtful Ka'iana under false pretenses, eventually leading to enmity between them. Ka'iana and his family ultimately ally with the leader of Hawaiʻi through Kaʻahumanu, who is preparing to marry into the king's family. Yet, Kahekili's war escalates as he attempts to bring all the islands under his control, while Kaʻahumanu's husband, Kamehameha (Kaina Makua), emerges as another possible leader to fulfill the prophecy.

Throughout the nine episodes, the war forces Kaʻiana to decide where his loyalties lie and what he is willing to fight for as the battle becomes bloodier than anyone expected. British sailors arrive, and Ka'iana journeys around the world, learning about other civilizations. No longer isolated, the islands' people are introduced to new weapons, technologies, and languages that forever change their society. Chief of War's exciting battles, shocking betrayals, and heartwrenching losses make the plot irresistible, and paired with a talented cast and stunning visuals, it is a true masterpiece that stands out in Apple TV's already impressive catalog.

'Chief of War's Historical Inspiration Makes It Even Better

With all the conventions of a story made for TV, Chief of War is almost too good to be true, yet it is. The series offers a respectful exploration of Hawaiian history, recounting real events and taking care to depict the culture with accuracy. Ka'iana himself is an influential figure whose life is not often explored in mainstream media, but it is important to remember that the series isn't a documentary. As with any historical series, there are creative liberties, whether that involves condensing the timeline or defining character relationships that historians cannot confirm.

However, Chief of War's accuracy goes beyond the narrative. To ensure that the series looked authentic, the production recreated sets, costumes, and props using traditional techniques. The show also goes the extra mile by exclusively using the native language of the area, 'Olelo Hawai'i, for several episodes, and only switches to English after the sailors introduce the language to the rest of the characters. Ultimately, the series does everything it can to depict real events, and this attention to detail grounds the show, setting it apart from other series on Apple TV.