When Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, it introduced a range of high-profile projects to establish its streaming service, including the ambitious Jason Momoa Apple TV+ drama titled See. Set in a distant future where humanity has lost the sense of sight due to a catastrophic virus, the series explores survival and adaptation in a newly formed world shaped around other senses.
See follows Baba Voss, played by Jason Momoa, a tribal leader whose children possess the rare and forbidden ability to see. Although it did not immediately become a cultural sensation, the drama gained renewed attention following Momoa’s involvement in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War, earning recognition as one of the streamer’s most engrossing offerings and showcasing one of Momoa’s most compelling performances.
A Groundbreaking World Built on Vision Loss and Survival
See was distinct from Apple TV+’s other launch shows like The Morning Show and Dickinson because it required elaborate world-building on an unprecedented scale for the service. Taking place hundreds of years after a virus eradicated sight, the show painstakingly envisioned how societies might reorganize in a world defined by heightened touch and hearing. The setting felt primitive yet futuristic, weaving in remnants of a lost civilization such as ruins, books, and familiar landmarks to enrich the backdrop.
Created by Steven Knight, known for Peaky Blinders, and visually shaped by director Francis Lawrence, famous for his work on The Hunger Games franchise, the series carefully balanced epic battle scenes with a textured and believable environment. It posed profound questions about human adaptability, communication, and defense mechanisms in a radically altered world.
The Heart of See: A Story of Family and Leadership
Despite its vast scale and action-packed sequences, See resonated most strongly as a family drama focused on Baba Voss, whose character combined the physicality of a warrior with the emotional depth of a devoted husband and father. Coming off his blockbuster success as Aquaman and several genre TV roles, Jason Momoa brought a powerful presence to the role, grounding the series emotionally. His portrayal of Baba Voss as a man grappling with loss and responsibility elevated the story beyond spectacle.
This emotional core extended to the ensemble cast, who contributed nuanced performances that enriched the show’s themes. While lacking the star-studded buzz of other early Apple TV+ series, See featured an underrated group of actors delivering raw and compelling portrayals. The show not only stood out in Apple’s lineup but also laid the foundation for the streamer to pursue more ambitious sci-fi dramas like Foundation and Silo.
Jason Momoa Leads a Talented and Authentic Cast
The ensemble around Momoa enhanced the series’ depth. Hera Hilmar portrayed Maghra, Baba Voss’s partner, with quiet strength, while Nesta Cooper and Archie Madekwe played Haniwa and Kofun, the sighted children navigating a blind world. Alfre Woodard, as Paris, provided warmth and wisdom as the show’s moral compass, and Sylvia Hoeks’s portrayal of Queen Kane added a chilling unpredictability, moving from seductive to merciless with ease. Dave Bautista appeared later as Edo Voss, Baba’s estranged brother, deepening the family drama with tragic complexity.
Actors faced rigorous preparation before filming, spending a month in intensive blindness training led by consultant Joe Strechay, who later became a co-producer. They learned to operate without sight using techniques such as echolocation and were guided by movement director Paradox Pollack to develop authentic physicality that avoided stereotypes often seen in portrayals of blindness. These efforts resulted in performances marked by realism and subtlety, grounding the show’s high-concept premise.
Jason Momoa’s performance stood out for its combination of raw strength and vulnerability. The training added a layer of authenticity to his role as Baba Voss, a leader shaped by hardship and fierce love for his family. His nuanced portrayal made the character both formidable and deeply human, making it one of his most underrated television performances.
See’s Lasting Influence and Growing Appreciation
Beyond a bold experiment for a new streaming service, See helped define Apple TV+’s identity in the genre television space. It demonstrated that the platform could support large-scale, original sci-fi storytelling while maintaining a strong emotional core. For Jason Momoa, the show highlighted his versatility as an actor capable of carrying complex narratives beyond blockbuster action roles.
Although the series concluded without reaching mass popularity initially, it is increasingly recognized for its innovative world-building, thoughtful family drama, and outstanding ensemble cast. For viewers discovering it now, See offers a visually stunning and emotionally compelling experience anchored by Jason Momoa’s remarkable lead performance.
