Masters of the Air, Apple TV+’s extremely anticipated struggle drama based mostly on Donald L. Miller’s guide of the identical title, will lastly premiere on Friday. The restricted collection serves as a companion to Band of Brothers, HBO’s hit 2001 miniseries from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Whereas Band of Brothers, based mostly on Stephen E. Ambrose’s guide, was about america Military’s 506th Infantry Regiment throughout World Warfare II, this new present—government produced by Spielberg and Hanks, and developed by John Orloff—follows the story of the 100th Bomb Group, often known as the “Bloody Hundredth” as a result of catastrophic losses it suffered throughout fight.
Should you’re into slowly paced struggle dramas, then it is best to already be amped over this launch. However Masters of the Air is not only for the historical past buffs—it is usually a deal with for anybody with eyes. I’m not simply speaking in regards to the cinematography, although it’s gorgeous: What I imply is that the casting administrators clearly took a web page from Band of Brothers’ and Prime Gun’s well-thumbed books and searched far and vast for among the trade’s hunkiest rising stars to painting these servicemen. The collection is so chock-full of strapping younger males with slicked-back hair that it’s nearly distracting. By no means worry, we’re right here to interrupt it down for you. As Slate’s resident skilled in all issues Austin Butler and swoon-worthy thespians, I current: a information to Masters of the Air’s many aviators-sporting studs.
Austin Butler as Maj. Gale “Buck” Cleven
Function: Although Masters of the Air has an ensemble forged, there are undoubtedly two main males: greatest pals Majs. Cleven and Egan. Of the devastatingly good-looking duo, Cleven is the straight-laced, goody two-shoes who doesn’t drink, smoke, gamble, sleep round, and even observe sports activities. As a substitute, he talks extra together with his eyes than his mouth, drinks nonalcoholic ginger beer, and is nearly all the time chewing on a toothpick (which solely provides to his debonair allure). Cleven is the ethical compass of the present. When he’s not pulling off harmful missions and flight landings that nobody else appears able to doing, he retains the boys—particularly Egan—in line and prioritizes the lives of his males over the success of the mission.
Recognized for: Most individuals shall be conversant in Butler from his Oscar-nominated efficiency as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis—or, slightly, from the hullabaloo in regards to the Elvis accent that the actor was by no means in a position to shake. However actual Butler followers know him because the charming unhealthy boy Sebastian Kydd in The Carrie Diaries, Manson Household central member Tex Watson in As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood, and, in fact, Vanessa Hudgens’ ex-boyfriend. Butler is about to star within the forthcoming Dune 2, the place he’ll look, erm, very different.
Flight-crew readiness score: 10/10. Pay attention, I don’t know the very first thing about flying a airplane, but when there’s one factor Butler convinces the viewers of, it’s that he’s the pilot. As Cleven, he all the time retains his composure underneath strain and has nice instincts.
Hunkiness rank: Lieutenant Basic of dangling a toothpick from his lips. May (and would) pull you from a crashed airplane simply earlier than it explodes, carry you bridal-style to security, and whisper “You’re gonna be simply tremendous, darlin’, ” in your ear.
Callum Turner as Maj. John “Bucky” Egan
Function: Every little thing that Cleven is, Egan is decidedly not. He will get means too drunk and sings off-key, he romances ladies on each continent, loves baseball, and makes foolhardy selections disregarding rank and seniority. He’s the quintessential devilishly good-looking unhealthy boy (nicely, as “unhealthy” as a World Warfare II hero could be in a pro-military American struggle drama), imbued with a lot charisma that each one the recruits dangle on his each phrase. Egan is courageous and fortunate sufficient to make it by means of each state of affairs unscathed—even when he will get reprimanded, he nonetheless wheedles the higher-ups into doing what he desires, and even when he leads lethal missions, he all the time has probably the most pristine-looking airplane upon return.
Recognized for: Ever since Turner’s breakout function within the 2014 drama Queen and Nation, the British actor has performed quite a lot of characters together with Frank Churchill in 2020’s Emma, Theseus Scamander within the Harry Potter spinoff Improbable Beasts collection, and the lead in George Clooney’s rowing biopic The Boys within the Boat.
Flight-crew readiness score: 7/10. He could also be chaotic, however Egan actually is one blessed man. Positive, luck could also be fickle, however I’m satisfied he might unconsciously fly a airplane and land it safely simply because the fates enable.
Hunkiness rank: Basic of doing one thing improper that feels too proper. I ought to level out that Butler and Turner are at their most magnetic within the collection after they’re on-screen collectively. Nevertheless, even when solo, he positive is one thing to behold.
Barry Keoghan as Lt. Curtis Biddick
Function: Biddick is the wisecrackin’ lieutenant of the camp, with a thick New York accent and impish grin. Nevertheless, by means of all of his bravado, he’s one of the vital earnest guys within the 100th. He’s fiercely loyal and would do absolutely anything for his pals.
Recognized for: The Irish actor has made a reputation for himself enjoying odd little freaks in Hollywood’s premiere dramas, together with The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Banshees of Inisherin, and The Inexperienced Knight. Keoghan additionally dabbled in blockbusters with a task in Marvel’s The Eternals. Not too long ago he made waves because the protagonist in Emerald Fennell’s salacious movie Saltburn, which went viral on TikTok and repopularized early-aughts disco-pop track “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
Flight-crew readiness score: 6/10. For all of the jokes he cracks, Biddick appears to be about his enterprise. Nevertheless, he additionally looks like the sort who’s cussed sufficient to threat the lives of many to avoid wasting the life of 1.
Hunkiness rank: First lieutenant of valiantly defending your honor. Keoghan’s seems are slightly unconventional for him to be thought of a basic hunk, however he’s nearly all the time charming, and this efficiency isn’t any exception. It helps that he’s additionally fairly humorous as Biddick—possibly it’s the accent?
Anthony Boyle as Lt. Harry Crosby
Function: Crosby is our narrator and the character who modifications most all through the story. At first, Crosby is a bumbling flight navigator whose violent movement illness will get him and his crew into some shut scrapes. This crushes his self-confidence, as he’s surrounded by males, like Cleven and Egan, who appear larger than life.
Recognized for: Boyle began out on stage, profitable an Olivier award and incomes a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Scorpius Malfoy in each the West Finish and Broadway productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one. Boyle may also be seen in movies similar to Tolkien and Tetris, and collection similar to The Plot In opposition to America.
Flight-crew readiness score: 3/10. I do know that the entire level of the present is that Crosby will get higher, however within the very first episode his movement illness causes him to guide his crew astray to enemy territory in France as a substitute of ally territory in England. As somebody who’s all too conversant in the debilitating would possibly of movement illness, it’s gonna be a tough move for me.
Hunkiness rank: Main of being sick with love. He sort of seems like that child who would snitch on you in center faculty, solely prettier.
Rafferty “Raff” Regulation as Sgt. Ken Lemmons
Function: Lemmons is without doubt one of the engineers on the bottom, which is, arguably, crucial job—in spite of everything, there wouldn’t be pilots with out working planes! Not solely is he a talented mechanic, however Lemmons can also be an extremely candy man who spends his free time hanging out with among the youngsters on the bottom and instructing them about aviation and airplane mechanics.
Recognized for: If his final title appears acquainted, that may be as a result of Raff is the son of A-list actor Jude Regulation. That is his first main on-screen function; he has beforehand appeared in just some shorts and his father’s movies. Nevertheless, Regulation scores excessive on the extracurriculars: He additionally fashions and makes music together with his band, Outer Stella Overdrive (which, enjoyable reality, additionally contains Damon Albarn’s nephew Rudy Albarn).
Flight-crew readiness score: 10/10. He’s one of the vital astute flight engineers I’ve ever seen on TV. (OK, so possibly he’s the one.)
Hunkiness rank: Captain of fixing planes and hearts. All stated, Lemmons seems like extra of a good-looking guy-next-door than a heartthrob. However that’s why we love him.
Elliot Warren as Lt. James Douglass
Function: Douglass is a sweet-talking bombardier who is stuffed with jokes and pickup traces. He helps spherical out the ensemble forged.
Recognized for: Earlier than Masters of the Air, Warren had small components in productions similar to The way to Have Intercourse and 2022’s The Batman. Nevertheless, Warren has garnered extra popularity of his writing for stage and display screen, profitable an Olivier award for his debut play Flesh and Bone, which he additionally co-directed and starred in.
Flight-crew readiness score: 8/10. He appears fairly helpful with the bombs, and I definitely don’t need to contact them. He’s acquired it.
Hunkiness rank: Colonel of constructing eyes with you throughout the bar … and barely resembling universally acknowledged hunk Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Warren as Douglass seems like a greaser in some ’40s model of New York and, merely put, that simply works.
Adam Lengthy as Capt. Bernard “Benny” DeMarco
Function: Whereas Lengthy’s is a sizably smaller half, he makes up for it in his twin function as each navy man and father to Meatball—a husky he received throughout a sport of craps—whom DeMarco takes with him as he joins the 100th. Meatball turns into a crowd favourite among the many crew, even sharing a gradual dance with Cleven in a while within the collection.
Recognized for: Lengthy’s profession has largely been in tv, with him having appeared in collection similar to Blissful Valley, The Lengthy Shadow, Bancroft, and The Bay. He has additionally had small roles in struggle movies Dunkirk and Cherry.
Flight-crew readiness score: 5/10. He introduced a canine! But in addition … he introduced a canine?
Hunkiness rank: Lieutenant colonel of being man’s greatest good friend. Once more: He introduced a canine.
James Murray as Col. Neil “Chick” Harding
Function: Harding is probably the most senior officer that our boys within the 100th mostly work together with. He’s a hardass on the skin, however a softie on the within, who cares dearly about the entire lives he’s accountable for, even whereas being beholden to his sense of responsibility.
Recognized for: Murray is greatest identified for his work in tv, which incorporates Defiance, Primeval, and The Crown, during which he performs Prince Andrew.
Flight-crew readiness score: 8/10. Harding doesn’t actually fly, as he’s too senior of an officer to must threat his personal life. That being stated, I’ve little question in my thoughts that he would hop in a airplane if he needed to. I simply … don’t know if he can. However I’m taking it on religion.
Hunkiness rank: Main basic of giving orders and looking out good whereas doing it. Harding isn’t my typical sort, I’ve to confess, however his dedication to his trigger is admirable.
Nate Mann as Maj. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal
Function: Rosie is available in halfway by means of the present together with his robust jawline and blue-green eyes as a gifted pilot despatched in to additional support our protagonists. He’s pure of coronary heart, a real good man and pure chief who befriends everybody he meets and steps as much as the plate when wanted.
Recognized for: Mann is a reasonably new actor, with Masters of the Air being his greatest manufacturing so far. Earlier than this, he had a small function in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza. He’s forged in a recurring function within the upcoming Peacock thriller miniseries Apples By no means Fall, starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill.
Flight-crew readiness score: 10/10. Implicitly, instantly, with out hesitation, the place are we going?
Hunkiness rank: Brigadier basic of sharp jawlines and eyes you could possibly swim in. Will actually forged a spell on you together with his eyes. Possibly he’s possessing me now and scripting this entire factor.
Ncuti Gatwa as 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels
Function: The Tuskegee Airmen don’t seem till a a lot later stage within the collection, however after they do?! Goodness me. Solely three Black fighter pilots of the 99th really get to fulfill our scalawag crew of the 100th, however they definitely make their mark. Though they’re all second lieutenants, Daniels is the de facto chief of the trio.
Recognized for: The Rwandan-Scottish actor is greatest identified for his function as Eric in Netflix’s hit collection Intercourse Training, and, most lately, for his incarnation because the 15th Physician within the long-running British sci-fi collection Physician Who. Gatwa additionally acted as one of many Kens in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit Barbie.
Flight-crew readiness score: 7/10. Whereas I don’t belief Gatwa’s American accent within the present, Daniels appears fully able to weathering the storms up excessive.
Hunkiness rank: Main of getting excellent pores and skin even within the throes of struggle. I can’t even make a joke about this: Ncuti Gatwa is without doubt one of the most gorgeous people I’ve ever seen.
Branden Prepare dinner as 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson
Function: The place Daniels is the chief, Jefferson is the brains of the trio. He’s pretty expert in cartography, reads Maugham, has been constructing intricate fashions all through his life, and might do the entire issues fighter pilots do. Should you ever have to plot your means out of a pickle, or get your self out of a jam, he’s your man. Due to his resourceful nature, he’s the Black pilot we spend probably the most time with.
Recognized for: That is Prepare dinner’s greatest break so far, however earlier than this he was greatest identified for his stints on the reveals Inform Me Lies and Trade.
Flight-crew readiness score: 10/10. Like Lemmons, if Jefferson advised me up was down and down was up, I’d imagine him.
Hunkiness rank: Lieutenant colonel of constructing the proper plans. Actually not as hunky as he was in Industry, however he might nonetheless do some harm.
Josiah Cross as 2nd Lt. Richard D. Macon
Function: Macon is the third of the principle Tuskegee males that we get launched to within the collection, however sadly some accidents he sustained earlier than he meets Cleven and Egan’s crew preclude him from being as within the thick of it as Jefferson is. Nonetheless, he reveals himself to be a reliable good friend, planner, and an excellent particular person to brainstorm with.
Recognized for: Previous to Masters of the Air, Cross’ best-known roles had been a small half within the biopic King Richard and the lead function in A Thousand and One. Cross’ staggering efficiency within the latter put him extra firmly on Hollywood’s map.
Flight-crew readiness score: 8/10. Positive! He appears to know his stuff.
Hunkiness rank: Captain of preserving guarantees. Even with a neck harm, he’s nonetheless swoon-worthy.
