Call him Chief on both sides of the camera

American actor Jason Momoa co-wrote, co-produced and stars in Chief Of War, which tells the story of Hawaii's unification and colonisation

- Alison de Souza

LOS ANGELES - Fans know him as the titular shirtless superhero from the Aquaman films (2018 to 2023), a brooding nomadic warlord on hit fantasy show Game Of Thrones (2011 to 2019) or an Adonis in lifeguard trunks on drama series Baywatch: Hawaii (1991 to 2001).

But Jason Momoa has moved into a new phase of his career with the epic historical drama Chief Of War, a passion project that he co-wrote, co-produced and stars in.

An exhaustively researched depiction of Hawaiian history and culture that was filmed in Hawaii and New Zealand, it is the most important thing he will ever do professionally, the American actor believes.

Now streaming on Apple TV+, the nine episodes are based on real events, telling the story of Hawaii's unification and colonisation at the turn of the 19th century through the eyes of Ka'iana (Momoa), a warrior chief who played a pivotal role.

In a Zoom call from Hawaii, Momoa - who is native Hawaiian on his father's side and German and Irish on his mother's - tells The Straits Times and other media he "welcomed the intense responsibility" of creating Chief Of War from the ground up.