With Apple TV+'s Chief of War season 1 just wrapped, we have to ask — how are we all feeling, chat?! PMN+ recently had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Brandon Finn, the Hawaiian-born actor who brings Prince Kupule to life in Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett's epic series.
For Brandon, being part of Chief of War is more than just acting. “This transcends being an actor and a performing artist,” he shares. “You become an ambassador for telling Hawai‘i's origin story. If we can expose Hawai‘i to the rest of the world in any way, shape, or form, being part of that is the greatest honor of my life.”
Growing up in Hawai‘i, Brandon admits his understanding of his homeland's history and culture came mostly from books and portraits, rarely from film or television. “For Jason Momoa to reach the level he's at and convince Apple TV+ to greenlight his passion project, which sheds light on Hawai‘i's unification story, means everything,” he says. “Especially for people from Hawai‘i or with ties to Hawai‘i, you don't usually see this on screen. Chief of War is the first time you'll see it done correctly.”
One of the show's standout achievements, Brandon emphasizes, is its dedication to ʻōlelo Hawai‘i, the native Hawaiian language. Across the season, three key characters speak entirely in ʻōlelo Hawai‘i, including Temuera Morrison as King Kahekili, Cliff Curtis as Keōua, and Brandon himself as Prince Kupule. “That alone speaks volumes,” he notes.
If you haven't watched it yet… what are you waiting for!? Grab that Apple TV+ subscription and binge it. This series is a landmark moment, bringing Hawai‘i's story to a massive global audience.
And what about a second season? Apple TV+ has yet to officially renew Chief of War. Producers told Hawaiian News Now in July 2025 that they'll know by September if the show will return for a second, and potentially a third, season. Momoa shared, “We have a lot of fights to battle because it's not our money making this, but it's a collaborative process.” Brandon adds, “We're only going to hit a certain point in the story and there's much more to tell.”
Stay tuned for updates, but until then, don't sleep on season one. It's not just entertainment; it's Hawai‘i's history, brought to life like never before.
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, October 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 10).
October 2025 · Digital Magazine
