'Brutal' Apple TV+ series leaves no stone unturned in 'eye-opening' historical drama
Viewers won't discover a more gripping or revelatory historical drama this year than this mesmerising series launching today on Apple TV+.
A labour of love that's taken a decade to develop, this absorbing, adrenaline-fuelled epic resurrects a forgotten chapter of history with breathtaking authenticity and compelling characters.
This nine-episode series pledges to reward audiences who can endure its savage brutality, complex subject matter and subtitled dialogue with a magnificent saga of conflict, treachery and exploration.
Executive produced, co-written by and starring Game of Thrones icon Jason Momoa, Chief of War represents the latest Apple TV+ series that absolutely warrants your viewing after successes including Severance and Slow Horses.
Momoa embodies the historical warrior Ka'iana, whose uprising at the dawn of the 19th Century proved pivotal in shaping modern-day Hawaii, reports the Express.
Express Online recently secured the opportunity to speak with Momoa's co-star Te Kohe Tuhaka, who depicts Ka'iana's brother Namakeʻ, another historical figure who proved crucial to the struggle.
"I was fortunate enough to read a very early script of the first ep, and I was hooked straight away," he recalled.
"When we think about Hawaiian culture and their own indigenous stories, taking such large-scale stories of history and then matching it by putting it on such a large production scale, that impressed me the most.
"There was no real stone unturned," he added. "With the language, us, the cast, got so much support around learning the language and having a great understanding. Then you look at the beautiful costuming.
"Everything was there feeding into the story, but matching the scale of the story to the scale of the production, that's what really impressed me the most."
Boasting a predominantly Polynesian cast, the series was not only shot across both New Zealand and Hawaii with historically accurate period dress, but Mamoa and his fellow actors all perform in the genuine 'Ōlelo Hawai'i tongue.
Co-created by Thomas Paa Sibbett, Chief of War also refuses to pull punches when showing the savage brutality that defined the conflict, from both Hawaiian warriors and Western invaders.
When questioned about what he believes audiences will take away most from the programme, Tuhaka revealed: "I think the brutality, the brutal nature of how things were during this period.
"In many, many ways we can call it black and white, cause and effect. Those who do know about Hawaiian culture and the stories, you would know that there was a brutality that existed in the unification of something.
"So, to see the brutality of it and not have it be tainted in any way, and there's an earnestness, an honest nature to the brutality of Chief of War and these stories, so I think that's going to surprise a lot of people."
Despite the gruesome nature of some scenes, the actor remains hopeful that it will inspire younger viewers, particularly those with a connection to Hawaii.
"It's beautiful," he expressed. "The biggest part from that process for me is being a part of something that is going to change the worldly view of young Hawaiian kids, seeing their own stories and being able to have some indigenous superheroes."
Two episodes of the series are currently available for streaming, with more thrilling episodes set to be released every Friday until September.
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