Chief of War finale on Apple TV+: what the ending sets up

TL;DR:

Season 1 ended on September 19, 2025, with “The Black Desert.”
Apple has not announced a Season 2 yet.
The show premiered August 1, 2025, with two episodes, then weekly.
The finale leaves Kamehameha ascendant, rivals regrouping, and stakes rising.
Momoa says the project is a personal pinnacle and cultural duty.

Jason Momoa’s historical epic “Chief of War” closed Season 1 on Friday, September 19, 2025, with a brutal, hour-long finale titled “The Black Desert.” The episode brings a decisive clash and sets up a wider war across the islands. Apple TV+ listed the finale date in its episode card and release timing guides, which matched regional rollouts on the day.

What happened in the finale

The finale stages an ash-choked showdown as Kamehameha’s forces face the combined might of Maui and Keōua. The hour pushes Kaʻiana, Kamehameha, and their closest allies through shifting loyalties, volcanic omens, and a hard-won field victory that still feels fragile. Multiple recaps describe a conclusive battle sequence paired with a parting threat that points beyond Season 1. One recap notes King Kahekili orders Lima to hunt Kaʻiana and ready Maui for war. Another calls the episode “the year’s most epic hour of television,” while warning that the ending is far from final.

When, where, and how the series rolled out

Apple TV+ premiered “Chief of War” with two episodes on August 1, 2025, then released one episode each week through September 19, 2025. Apple’s press site and multiple entertainment outlets outlined this plan in July and early August.

If you are catching up, the entire nine-episode season is now streaming on Apple TV+. The show page highlights the series overview, content rating, and watch options.

What the creators say about the story and its weight

Jason Momoa has framed the series as both a passion and a responsibility. In interviews around the finale, he called the project “as big as it gets” for him, citing the cultural stakes, language work, and collaboration with Hawaiian advisors. He stressed the aim to center an indigenous view of the unification era.

Will there be a Season 2?

As of September 19, 2025, Apple has not announced a renewal. Trade and consumer outlets report no official word yet, even as the finale keeps key arcs open. Expect speculation to continue given the history the show has left to explore.

The bigger picture the finale sets up

Season 1 charts the rise of Kamehameha and his alliance with Kaʻiana, while rivals regroup. The closing scenes signal fresh campaigns across the islands, more outside interference, and deeper court tensions. Recaps point to Kamehameha’s momentum, Kahekili’s counter-moves, and Kaʻiana’s exposed position. The show’s design invites a second season to cover shifting coalitions and the march toward unification.

A quick guide to the season at a glance

Item	Details
Premiere date	August 1, 2025, with two episodes
Finale date	September 19, 2025
Episodes	9 total
Platform	Apple TV+
Core focus	Native Hawaiian perspective on the unification era
Current status	No renewal announced as of Sep 19, 2025

Sources for dates and rollout include Apple’s press materials and release-schedule explainers.

Why it matters

This show puts Native Hawaiian history and language at the center of a large-scale series. The finale’s open threads keep attention on how power shifted across the islands. For viewers, that means a rare blend of cultural detail, action, and political drama. For the industry, it shows that big-budget epics can be led by indigenous voices and filmed with local guidance. Momoa has been blunt about the duty he felt to get that right.

Background for new viewers

Apple’s official pages describe “Chief of War” as a drama about the origin of Hawaiʻi and its people, carried by a mostly Polynesian cast. Early reviews emphasized the scale, the use of Hawaiian language, and the shift from postcard views to lived history. If you want a primer before you start, Apple’s show page and trailers are the best first stop.

Suggested watch order if you are short on time

Episodes 1–2 for the setup and alliances.
Episode 5 for key turning points.
Episodes 8–9 for the political and battle payoffs.

Release-schedule guides confirm nine episodes total, so you can plan a weekend catch-up.

What happens next, likely

No renewal is official. Still, the history points to larger campaigns and major betrayals ahead. Expect tighter focus on Maui’s response, foreign weapons reshaping battles, and palace politics around Kamehameha’s council. The finale’s last orders from Kahekili make that clear.

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