‘Masters of the Air’ First Look: Barry Keoghan and Austin Butler Battle Nazis During WWII

Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan are soaring high in period drama “Masters of the Air.”

The Apple TV+ limited series, executive produced by Steven Spielberg, is adapted from World War II nonfiction book “Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany” by Donald L. Miller.

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Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, and Rafferty Law co-star in the Apple Original production about the 8th Air Force in World War II that helped defeat the Nazis. The limited series reunites “Band of Brothers” producers Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman.

“Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this ‘singular event in the history of warfare,'” Goeztman said in a press statement. “We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, onscreen and behind the camera, to tell this important story.”

Goetzman’s producing partner Hanks encouraged his “Elvis” co-star Butler to join “Masters of the Air” after his dedicated, immesive performance as Elvis Prelsey.

“‘You have immersed yourself so deeply in “Elvis” that, for your mental health, it would be wise to go straight into something else,'” Butler recalled Hanks telling him during a Times of London interview. “If you just jump off the train, you might have emotional whiplash…and, you know, I’ve got this thing I’m producing.'”

“Masters of the Air” was originally an HBO project in development since 2013. Apple announced the acquisition in 2019, with “True Detective” helmer Cary Fukunaga tapped to direct the first three episodes. A May 2022 report alleged that Fukunaga inappropriately engaged with female actresses and crew members on the set of the production.

“Masters of the Air” will debut with the first two episodes in January, followed by weekly installments until March 15. The nine-episode limited series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg through Amblin Television, and Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman for Playtone. Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey co-executive produce alongside Playtone’s Steven Shareshian. In addition to writing, Orloff co-executive produces. Graham Yost also serves as co-executive producer.

“Masters of the Air” premieres January 26 on Apple TV+. Check out the first look images below.

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