Where to watch WW2 drama Masters of the Air

World War II drama Masters of the Air is heading to Apple TV+ this week.

Bringing together Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman once more following their critically-acclaimed releases Band of Brothers and The Pacific, this new war drama explores the true story of the 8th Air Force, an American bomber group that served during the Second World War.

Based on Donald L. Miller's book of the same name, the series honours their efforts and the courage and brotherhood they showed in the face of terrible hardship during the war, and how the 8th Air Force helped to defeat Nazi Germany.

Read more: The famous stars you forgot were in Band of Brothers

Here is everything you need to know about the forthcoming drama.

How can I watch Masters of the Air?

. The limited series will premiere with its first two episodes before releasing one new episode every week.

The first season will have nine episodes in total, lasting until Friday, 15 March.

The first three episodes of the series were directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, who was hit with accusations of sexual harassment and grooming by multiple women in 2021 and 2022. Fukunaga has denied these allegations.

What are the reviews like?

Reviews for Hanks' and Spielberg's new wartime series have soared online with the speed, ferocity and success of a fighter pilot on a mission — and judging by these review titles alone, it's easy to see that the duo's latest collaboration is a critical hit.

Calling it "absolute classic TV", The Guardian explained that Masters of the Air may have arrived with little fanfare yet its content is gripping and masterfully crafted, likening it to "grand, traditional television, reaching for the big moments in every scene."

The Telegraph had a similar amount of fun, leading their review with the assertion that "the intensity of the aerial combat scenes featured here will take your breath away." Meanwhile, The Independent echoed the sentiment, telling its readers that "it is hard to resist Masters of the Air."

Read the full reviews below:

The Guardian: Spielberg and Hanks’s Band of Brothers follow-up is absolutely classic TV (4-min read)

The Telegraph: Astonishing wartime epic will take your breath away (4-min read)

The Independent: It’s hard to resist the pulse-quickening action of this epic Second World War story (4-min read)

Is there a trailer for Masters of the Air?

The first full trailer for Masters of the Air dropped in December 2023 and can be viewed by clicking play above.

Hitting home the personal stories behind these brave and daring fighter pilots, the two-minute trailer teased both the scope and human stakes of the series, while also showcasing some bullet-spewing action scenes.

It also delivers more footage of Butler and his starry ensemble cast.

The first teaser trailer for Masters of the Air landed in November 2023 and boasted about as much high-flying action as you'd expect to find in a Steven Spielberg-produced Second World War drama. Watch it below.

The short, two-minute reveal also provided a sense of the weight that lay on the shoulders of these ace air pilots as they attempted to "bring the war to Hitler's doorstep". Watch the full trailer by clicking play above.

What happens in Masters of the Air?

The series follows the men who were part of the 100th Bomb Group — also known as the "Bloody Hundredth" — and their efforts in the Second World War.

Masters of the Air will explore the perilous bombing raids they conducted over Nazi Germany, and how they faced horrific conditions they faced from a lack of oxygen, frigid conditions and also conducting combat from 25,000 feet in the air.

The show will delve into the emotional and psychological impact of the war, exploring the consequences this had on the young men while working to take down the Third Reich.

Examining what happened to all of the men, the series will explore how some were captured, others killed, and some were even shot down in combat. And much like Band of Brothers, the series will explore each of their stories in a sensitive and thoughtful manner.

Who is in the Masters of the Air cast?

Masters of the Air has a huge ensemble cast, with Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Barry Keoghan and Anthony Boyle leading the group as Major Gale Cleven, Major John Egan, Lt. Curtis Biddick and Major Harry Crosby, respectively,

Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa are also some of the names to appear in the series.

Masters of the Air will be released on Apple TV+ on Friday, 26 January