Masters of the Air: Release date, trailer and plot of World War 2 series

In our five-star review, our very own James Hibbs writes: "Just as every moment in the battle sequences is critical, so are the moments of camaraderie - the games, the drinking in pubs, the quiet conversations. All of these allow us to understand the everyday torment of putting your life of the line so frequently, while also helping us to understand the men as individuals, as human beings."

The series will star Academy Award nominee and Elvis star Austin Butler, BAFTA-winning Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan, and The Capture star Callum Turner.

They lead the talented ensemble cast that includes the likes of Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, Anthony Boyle, and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa.

The cast featured on the front cover of the latest issue of Radio Times magazine.

Read on for everything you need to know about the drama.

Masters of the Air release date

The first two episodes of Masters of the Air will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday 26th January 2024.

The series will then air weekly on Apple TV+

Masters of the Air has been in the works since October 2019 and was originally an HBO project before Apple made a deal with Spielberg’s and Hanks’s respective production companies.

Who stars in Masters of the Air?

The full cast of Masters of the Air has been confirmed.

Academy Award nominee Austin Butler and BAFTA winner Barry Keoghan lead the cast as Major Gale Cleven and Lt Curtis Biddick, respectively.

Meanwhile, Anthony Boyle (The Plot Against America) stars as Major Harry Crosby, while Callum Turner (The Capture, the Fantastic Beasts films) also features in the role of Major John Egan.

The ensemble cast also includes Jude Law's son, Rafferty Law, who stars as Sgt Ken Lemmons, Nate Mann (Licorice Pizza) who appears as Major 'Rosie' Rosenthal, Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, Tell Me Lies star Branden Cook, King Richard's Josiah Cross, Line of Duty's Tommy Jessop and Shadow and Bone's Freddy Carter.

Behind the camera, the series is penned by Band of Brothers writer John Orloff, while directors attached include Tim van Patten (Perry Mason), Cary Joji Fukunaga (No Time to Die), Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel), Dee Rees (Mudbound) and Tim van Patten (Perry Mason).

Masters of the Air plot

Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group, known as the “Bloody Hundredth,” as they conduct bombing raids over Nazi Germany and brave the perilous conditions and terrifying reality of aerial combat.

According to the synopsis: “It portrays the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich.

"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."

Is there a trailer for Masters of the Air?

Yes, multiple trailers have now been released for the blockbuster series.

Catch the trailer below.

Masters of the Air premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday 26th January 2024. New episodes will air weekly. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.