Jason Momoa’sChief of Waris dominant on Apple TV+. Momoa has appeared in several prominent franchise roles in the past decade, portraying Aquaman for DC, Duncan Idaho inDune(2021), and The Garbage Man inA Minecraft Movie(2025). Outside of major franchises, however, he also appeared as Baba Voss in Apple TV+‘sSeefrom 2019 to 2022.
WhileSeecame to an end, Momoa elected to return to Apple TV+ forChief of War, which tells the story of a war chief’s desperate rebellion against Kamehameha the Great in Hawaii.The nine-episode series premiered on August 1and is expected to conclude on September 19 in an episode directed by Momoa himself.
According to Apple TV+, Momoa’s latest show is already topping the charts. It is currentlythe #1 TV show on Apple TV+, debuting ahead ofFoundation,Smoke,Stick, andTed Lasso. It is the only drama show on that list, which certainly proves that it is a unique release for the streaming giant.
What This Means For Chief Of War
While it is exciting to seeChief of Warearning comparatively strong viewership,it is debuting with no major competition. After all,Ted Lassois currently in fifth place on Apple TV’s charts, and that show has not had any new episodes since 2023.
Chief of Warhas been well-received. The show has already earned an89% Tomatometer scoreon the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and a74% score on the audience-led Popcornmeter. Critics praised the show’s action and storytelling, but most of the reviews named Momoa as the series’ biggest draw.
Mamoa’s next major roles will come in the 2026 releasesDune: Part Three(Duncan Idaho) andSupergirl(Lobo).
Despite its limited reach,Chief of Warfeaturesone of Momoa’s best roles, according to those critics, which is likely why the show is already so prominent. Apple TV+needsto market the series more widelyto ensure that it is not just competing with old releases, but this is a promising start for the series.
Our Take On Chief Of War’s Success
While many shows stumble with their pilots, this is a series that certainly deserves to succeed.ScreenRant’s Greg MacArthur reviewedChief of Warand found that it “isApple TV+’s best shot at a Shōgun rival”, as it is “highly entertaining while also being educational”. The “visceral” action is also a key draw for the drama.
Momoa, who is a Native Hawaiian, stated that he made the show because he wanted “to make my family proud”. As it debuts at the top of Apple TV+’s charts, whileremaining true to historyand the struggle that the Hawaiian people faced,Chief of Waris already accomplished and should certainly be making Momoa and his family proud.
