Jason Momoa TV Show Career: Why Chief of War and See Changed Everything

Jason Momoa isn't just the guy who swims with sharks or carries a big trident anymore. If you’ve been following any Jason Momoa tv show lately, you know he’s pivoting. Hard. He is moving away from being the "brawny guest star" and becoming the architect of his own weird, expansive universes.

People still talk about Game of Thrones. Obviously. Khal Drogo was a lightning strike. He barely spoke English, died in the first season, and yet he’s still the benchmark for every tribal warrior character in modern TV history. But that was 2011. A lot has happened since he fell off that horse.

From Stargate to the Apple TV+ Gamble

Before he was the King of Atlantis, Momoa was Ronon Dex. If you haven't revisited Stargate Atlantis recently, you really should. It’s where he learned to fight with those heavy, rhythmic movements that define his screen presence. It was basic cable sci-fi, sure, but it gave him the reps he needed.

Then came See. This was a massive risk for Apple TV+. They spent roughly $15 million per episode. The premise? A post-apocalyptic world where humanity has lost the sense of sight. Momoa played Baba Voss. It sounds like a gimmick, but the way he handled the tactical "blind" combat was actually revolutionary for the genre. He worked with blindness consultant Joe Strechay to make sure the movements weren't just "Hollywood blind" but felt grounded in a world without light.

Most actors would just play it like a superhero. Momoa played it like a father. That’s the nuance people miss. In See, he wasn't just swinging a sword; he was navigating a sensory vacuum. It ran for three seasons and ended exactly when it needed to, which is a rarity in the streaming era where shows either die too young or live long enough to become parodies of themselves.

The Frontier Era

Don't sleep on Frontier. It’s on Netflix, and it is gritty as hell. It’s set in the 18th-century fur trade in Canada. Momoa plays Declan Harp, a half-Irish, half-Cree outlaw. Honestly, this show is where he started to show he could carry a heavy, political narrative. It wasn't just about the kills. It was about the Hudson's Bay Company and the brutal reality of colonial commerce.

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It wasn't a "perfect" show. The pacing was sometimes as sluggish as a frozen river in the Yukon. But Momoa's intensity kept it afloat. He has this way of looking at a camera that makes you feel like you’re actually in trouble.

Chief of War: The Passion Project

This is the big one. If you want to know what a Jason Momoa tv show looks like when he has total control, look at Chief of War. This is his "baby." It’s an upcoming limited series for Apple TV+ that dives into the unification of the Hawaiian Islands from an indigenous perspective.

Momoa isn't just the star. He’s the co-creator. He’s a writer.

This isn't just another paycheck. He has been vocal about how this story is essentially his life's work. It’s set around 1795. It follows the legendary King Kamehameha and the war that changed Hawaii forever. For years, Hawaii has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood—Jurassic Park, Lost, White Lotus. But it’s rarely told from the inside.

Momoa is pulling in talent like Temuera Morrison (who played his dad in Aquaman) and Cliff Curtis. This show is trying to be the Shogun of the Pacific. It’s expensive, it’s risky, and it’s deeply personal. He’s even brought on historical consultants to ensure the Hawaiian language and customs are treated with actual respect rather than just being "exotic flavor."

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Why His TV Choices Matter

Think about it. Most movie stars of his caliber only do TV when their film career is flagging. Momoa does it because he wants the 10-hour canvas. He wants the depth.

Look at his unscripted work too. On the Roam is a Max original where he basically travels the world meeting craftspeople—blacksmiths, bike builders, photographers. It’s basically a high-budget vlog, but it works because he’s genuinely obsessed with the process of making things. It reveals the "nerd" behind the muscle. He’s a guy who loves old Leicas and vintage Harleys.

The Misconceptions About the "Momoa Brand"

People think he can only play "The Warrior." That’s a mistake. In the short-lived SundanceTV series The Red Road, he played Phillip Kopus, a member of the Ramapough Mountain Indians. It was a slow-burn noir. No capes. No magic. Just a complicated guy caught between his community and the law.

If you haven't seen The Red Road, you’re missing his best acting. It’s quiet. It’s brooding. It’s miles away from the "My Man!" energy of the Justice League.

The reality of a Jason Momoa tv show is that it’s usually a vehicle for him to explore his heritage or his hobbies. Whether it’s the fur trade, a blind future, or the history of Hawaii, he’s consistently picking projects that require a massive physical commitment. He doesn't just show up to a trailer; he lives in the mud for these roles.

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How to Watch and What’s Next

If you're looking to binge, here is the hierarchy of where to start:

1. See (Apple TV+): Best for high-budget action and world-building.
2. The Red Road (Sundance/Streaming): Best for seeing his actual acting range.
3. Frontier (Netflix): Best for history buffs who like things a bit bloody.
4. On the Roam (Max): Best if you just want to see the real Jason hanging out.

The industry is watching Chief of War closely. It represents a shift in how indigenous stories are funded at the highest level of streaming. If it succeeds, it opens the door for dozens of other culturally specific epics. If it fails, it’ll be a "vanity project." But knowing Momoa, he’s going to go down swinging either way.

Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Viewers

To get the most out of his filmography, stop looking at him as just an action hero. Start looking at the production credits. Notice how he's increasingly taking "Produced By" or "Created By" roles.

• Watch for the fighting style: In See, notice how he uses sound. He’s not looking at his opponents. It’s a masterclass in physical acting.
• Track the cultural threads: From Frontier to Chief of War, he is consistently highlighting indigenous struggles against colonial powers. This is his "North Star."
• Check out the "making of" content: For On the Roam, don't just watch the show—look at the artisans he features. Many of them have seen huge boosts in their small businesses because of his platform.

The era of Momoa as a supporting player is over. We are firmly in the era of Momoa as a mogul. Whether he's hunting pelts in Canada or uniting islands in the Pacific, he's proved that a Jason Momoa tv show is always going to be loud, ambitious, and surprisingly soulful. Check out See if you haven't yet—it's the best entry point to his modern work before Chief of War drops and changes the conversation again.