Masters of the Air, the long-awaited follow-up to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, is about to premiere on Apple TV+. The World War II series stars Oscar-nominees like Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan, new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, and a long list of up-and-comers like Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, and Kai Alexander. Masters of the Air is based on historian Donald L. Miller’s 2007 book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany and A Wing and a Prayer, Major Harry Crosby’s 1993 memoir of his time navigating for the 100th Bomb Group. The series unites celebrated directors like Cary Joji Fukunaga, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Dee Rees, and Tim Van Patten to bring the chilling aerial combat of World War II to life. So when can you catch Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’s latest epic World War II show? How many episodes are in Masters of the Air? And what time will the show premiere on Apple TV+?
Much like Band of Brothers and The Pacific focused on real-life American war heroes, Masters of the Air follows the triumphs and tragedies of the 100th Bomb Group, an Air Force unit notorious for its high casualty rates and super-dangerous missions. The early part of the series focuses on best friends Gale “Buck” Cleven (Austin Butler) and John “Bucky” Egan (Callum Turner) — and don’t worry, the cold open addresses the origins of their similar nicknames. As the show goes on, we shift to following the heroic pilot Robert Rosenthal (Nate Mann), until Masters of the Air eventually loops in the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen in southern Europe. Through it all, the show is narrated by navigator (and future professor and memoirist) Harry Crosby (Anthony Boyle).
Masters of the Air follows a heavy two years of battles and a sprawling cast of real life people over nine episodes. Can’t wait to watch? Worried that you’ll miss an installment? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Masters of the Air on Apple TV+…
Even though HBO originally ordered Masters of the Air as a follow-up to its smash hits Band of Brothers and The Pacific, the network eventually passed on the pricy war show. Apple TV+, however, sprang for the show’s rights. Which is why the only place where you can stream Masters of the Air will be Apple TV+.
Apple TV+’s epic new World War II series, Masters of the Air, premieres on Friday, January 26, 2024.
There are nine episodes of Masters of the Air on Apple TV+. The first two episodes of the World War II limited series will premiere on Friday, January 26. After that, the series will follow a weekly release schedule until its super-sized finale. Yep: the ninth and final episode of Masters of the Air is about twice the length of a normal episode.
As noted above, new episodes of Masters of the Air premiere weekly on Fridays through the series finale. However, Apple TV+ often releases new episodes of their original series at 9:00 p.m. ET the night before the official designated premiere date. So if you’re dying to watch Austin Butler fly a bomber over Europe, be sure to look out for new Masters of the Air episodes on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET.
If it’s already Friday and you can’t find a new episode of Masters of the Air on Apple TV+, don’t freak out! Simply try refreshing your browser or app. It sometimes takes a few moments for new content to load.
Slightly confused about how Apple TV+ shows roll out? Need a complete Masters of the Air episode guide, with corresponding episode titles and premiere dates? Here are the official premiere dates for all nine episodes of Masters of the Air, which will premiere throughout January, February, and March 24. (Again, remember to keep an eye out for early releases.)
Heck yeah, there is! Check out Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and their co-stars in action in Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air trailer featured at the top of this article.
Much like the original Band of Brothers, the cast of Masters of the Air is stacked with up-and-coming actors you know you’re going to see on TV and in film for decades to come. The cast of Masters of the Air features two recent Oscar-nominees, one of the many Kens from Barbie, and actors you might recognize from such TV gems as The Plot Against America, Pistol, The Morning Show, and All the Light We Cannot See: