'Masters of the Air': A Spectacular Aerial War Drama with Room for More Depth

The Apple TV+ miniseries, produced by Spielberg, Hanks and Goetzman, showcases the heroism of the U.S. Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group, but critics say it lacks nuance in exploring the psychological toll of war.

'Masters of the Air', a new miniseries on Apple TV+, is a visually spectacular re-creation of war based on the real-life events of the U.S. Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group during World War II.
The series, produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, is the latest in a trilogy that includes 'Band of Brothers' and 'The Pacific'.
The series has been praised for its stunning aerial combat sequences, but criticized for its lack of nuance and depth when exploring the psychological stress of the airmen.
The main characters are Majors Gale “Buck” Cleven (Austin Butler) and John “Bucky” Egan (Callum Turner), with an ensemble that includes Nate Mann, Barry Keoghan, and Anthony Boyle.
The series also features a late-series insertion of the Tuskegee Airmen, introducing 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson (Branden Cook), whose historical destiny is intertwined with some of the major characters.