Austin Butlerand the Bloody Hundredth are ready to bring the war toAdolf Hitler’s doorstep in the first teaser for Apple TV+’s upcoming war dramaMasters of the Air. The latest series fromThe PacificandBand of BrotherstrioSteven Spielberg,Tom Hanks, andGary Goetzmantakes placein the heart of World War IIas members of the 100th Bomb Group conduct high-flying bombing raids in perilous conditions over Nazi Germany. Whether they survived, were captured, or perished in the skies, each member of the tight-knit group paid a toll to serve their country.
The brotherhood of the Bloody Hundredth is on full display in the teaseras it opens with the group watching bombs burst in the air and gunfire rise into the night. Major Gale Cleven (Butler)is asked to lead his men into the skies on borderline suicide missionsin broad daylight to cut off the German war machine before it can reach the front. Each stunning shot of the pilots in flight highlights the danger—their craft are often riddled with bullets from ground troops, blown out of the sky, or sent crashing down to where they could be captured or killed. Yet, despite facingthe horrors of warwith little chance of surviving to see their loved ones, they keep their spirits high through their close bonds with one another. Major Cleven in particular does his best to rally his boys before they take flight on what will likely be, for many of their fellow pilots, their last flight.
Based onDonald L. Miller’s book of the same name with a script by Emmy nomineeJohn Orloff,Masters of the Airis made as a salute to the Bloody Hundredth fortheir immense courage in the face of danger. The team made sure, then, that this ode to the airmen looked as good as possible. Every location, from fields in England to villages and cities full of people, airforce barracks, and German prisoner-of-war camps is captured with cinematic beauty in the teaser. The series looks to match the look andmassive scale of Spielberg, Hanks, and Goetzman’s previous dramasall to tell the 100th Bomb Group’s full story.
‘Masters of the Air’ Sends a Star-Studded Ensemble to War
Adding to the cinematic quality of the series is a dream cast headed by the Academy Award-nominated Butler who, sincefilming the series underCary Fukunaga, has shot into the stratosphere withBaz Luhrmann’sElvisalongsidethe highly-anticipatedDune: Part 2andThe Bikeriders. This will be his first television appearance since 2017 whenhe led the MTV fantasy showThe Shannara Chronicles. He’s joined by his fellow nominee andupcomingSaltburnstarBarry KeoghanalongsideCallum Turner,Anthony Boyle,Nate Mann,Kai Alexander,Rafferty Law,Josiah Cross,Branden Cook, andNcuti Gatwa.
Masters of the Airpremieres with two episodes on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 06, 2025. Readour full guide here for everything you need to knowabout the WWII series. Check out the teaser below.
Masters of the Air
During WWII, five miles above the ground and behind enemy lines, ten men inside a bomber known as a “Flying Fortress” battle unrelenting flocks of German fighters.
