Jason Momoa’s portrayal of fierce, powerful warriors has become a defining aspect of his career, with his roles showcasing both his physical prowess and depth as an actor. His work in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War highlights his abilities like never before, but his earlier performances as Declan Harp in Frontier and Baba Voss in See laid the foundation for his acclaim in Jason Momoa warrior roles. These characters reveal his evolution through television and his commitment to bringing complex warriors to life.
Jason Momoa’s Western Outlaw Role in Frontier
Momoa’s entry into epic TV dramas began with Netflix’s Frontier, a Western set during the late 18th-century fur trade in Canada. In this series, he plays Declan Harp, a half-Irish, half-Cree outlaw who once worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company. After uncovering the company’s corrupt and exploitative actions, Harp turns against his former employers to protect the native lands from their destruction.
Momoa delivers a commanding performance as a ruthless figure who inspires fear, capturing the complexity of a man driven by vengeance and justice. Despite the show’s slow start, with detailed portrayals of the fur trade business that tested viewers’ patience, its second season gained momentum. Unfortunately, the initial sluggish pacing allowed audiences to lose interest, which overshadowed the show’s unique historical setting.
Jason Momoa as Baba Voss: The Protector in See
Following Frontier’s conclusion in 2018, Momoa took a brief hiatus before starring in another ambitious original series for Apple TV+. See is set centuries in a post-apocalyptic future where a virus has rendered humanity blind, and survivors live in primitive, medieval-like societies that view sight as heresy. Momoa’s character, Baba Voss, leads the Alkenny Tribe with fierce determination, defending his people against numerous threats.
The arrival of two sighted infant refugees threatens to unravel the fragile stability of Baba Voss’s tribe, forcing him to protect them at all costs. Much like Frontier, See initially struggled with storytelling but saw improvement in its later seasons. The series recently gained renewed appreciation among audiences and critics alike for its ambitious narrative and Momoa’s portrayal of a fearless tribal leader committed to safeguarding his family and tribe.
Comparing Momoa’s Characters: Declan Harp, Baba Voss, and Ka’iana
There are clear parallels among Momoa’s three notable warrior roles — Declan Harp in Frontier, Baba Voss in See, and Ka’iana in Chief of War. Each character is a formidable man who fiercely defends those he cares for, despite complicated alliances and troubled pasts. Violence serves as a primary tool for all three; nevertheless, they also acknowledge its limitations, with Ka’iana especially embracing violence as the reluctant means to a necessary end.
While their motivations differ, their dedication remains intense. Declan Harp is driven by vengeance and a quest for justice, embodying unyielding ferocity. Baba Voss prioritizes the well-being and moral protection of his family and tribe. Meanwhile, Ka’iana seeks something grander—a unified Hawai’i to end cycles of warfare, reflecting his broader vision beyond personal survival.
Chief of War: Jason Momoa’s Finest Television Portrayal
Though Momoa’s film career skyrocketed with major blockbusters, his television journey has been marked by persistence through two earlier series that struggled to find sustained success. His leading role in Chief of War, an Apple TV+ original, stands as the pinnacle of his TV work and arguably his best acting effort to date.
Chief of War dramatizes the historical unification of Hawai’i under Kamehameha I, focusing on nuanced character dynamics and cultural depth. Momoa’s role as Ka’iana—a secondary but pivotal figure—offers him space to explore internal conflicts beyond physical combat. The series garners praise for its careful balance of historical insight and engaging storytelling, avoiding sensationalism while evoking a powerful sense of place and time.
Unlike See and Frontier, where Momoa was primarily cast for his imposing physicality, Chief of War allows him to delve into thoughtful portrayals that extend beyond action sequences. This depth enriches Ka’iana’s character, who struggles with the moral weight of violence and the hope of lasting peace on Hawai’i’s shores.
The Cast Bringing Hawai’i’s History to Life
Jason Momoa stars as Ka’iana, with Luciane Buchanan playing Kaʻahumanu, a central figure connected to the historical narrative. Their performances anchor Chief of War, combining dramatic intensity with authentic representation of this significant period. The casting choices enable the series to reflect both the cultural and personal stakes involved in Hawai’i’s transformation.
The success of Chief of War signals a growing appetite for stories that honor indigenous histories with care and complexity, further cementing Momoa’s role as a leading actor capable of embodying warriors whose strength is matched by their humanity.
