The show’s cast includes Austin Butler, Callum Turner and Barry Keoghan.
Ahead of the show’s January 2024 launch, Apple TV+ have revealed the first images from Masters of the Air.
The series comes from the producing team of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman who were behind both Band of Brothers and The Pacific. This time, the drama follows the true story of an American bomber group in World War II.
The series is based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name and scripted by John Orloff.
Here’s the premise:
Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air.
Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of Masters of the Air. Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.
The show has gathered an impressive cast. It includes Austin Butler (Elvis), Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts), Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin), Josiah Cross and Branden Cook.
Incoming Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa also guests in one episode, though he’s not in any of the promotional images.
Executive producer Gary Goetzman said:
“Masters Of The Air is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II.
“Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this ‘singular event in the history of warfare.’ We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, on-screen and behind the camera, to tell this important story.”
Masters of the Air comes from Apple Studios. Spielberg executive produces for Amblin Television, Hanks and Goetzman for Playtone. Writer John Orloff also executive produces. Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey co-executive produce alongside Playtone’s Steven Shareshian. Additionally, Graham Yost also serves as co-executive producer.
The series premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday, 26th January, 2024 with two episodes. Subsequent instalments of the 9-episode series land weekly thereafter.