February 6, 2025 – Could 2025 be the year of historical action television? With the ongoing success of American Primeval on Netflix and the anticipated release of Chief of War on Apple TV+, the trend certainly seems to be gaining momentum.
Netflix’s American Primeval Dominates Streaming Charts
Since its premiere in early January, American Primeval has remained a top-performing show on Netflix, currently sitting at number six on the global most-watched English-language series list. Despite a mixed Rotten Tomatoes score of 69%, its popularity suggests a growing appetite for historical action dramas.
The show, set in the 1880s American West, explores the Utah War through a fictionalized lens. Its success is particularly notable as the Western genre has seen fluctuating interest over the years.
Apple TV+ Gears Up for Chief of War
Following the momentum, Apple TV+ is preparing to release Chief of War, a historical action series set in 18th-century Hawaii. Starring and co-created by Jason Momoa, the show follows a warrior named Ka‘iana as he returns home amid a war between Hawaii’s four major kingdoms.
The series will depict the real-life unification of Hawaii (1782–1810), a historical event rarely portrayed on mainstream television. With its Hawaiian-language dialogue, on-location filming in Hawaii and New Zealand, and large-scale battle scenes, Chief of War promises an authentic and immersive viewing experience.
When Will Chief of War Premiere?
Apple TV+ has yet to confirm an official release date. The show was initially expected in 2024 but was delayed. While it’s not listed on Apple’s upcoming slate through April 2025, industry speculation suggests a mid-to-late 2025 release.
A New Era for Historical Action?
Apple TV+ has previously explored historical dramas with Franklin, The Buccaneers, and Manhunt, but these lean more towards period storytelling rather than epic, large-scale action. Chief of War could mark a shift for the platform towards high-budget historical action series, putting it in competition with Netflix, HBO, and other major streamers.
With Chief of War and American Primeval leading the charge, 2025 may very well be the year that historical action series become a dominant force in streaming entertainment.
