Masters of the Air, Apple TV+'s highly anticipated war drama based on Donald L. Miller's book of the same name, will finally premiere on Friday. The limited series serves as a companion to Band of Brothers, HBO's hit 2001 miniseries from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. While “Band of Brothers,” based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose, was about the U.S. Army's 506th Infantry Regiment during World War II, this new show – executive produced by Spielberg and Hanks and developed by John Orloff – follows that History of the 100th Infantry Regiment Bomb Group, also known as the “Bloody Hundredth” due to the catastrophic losses it suffered in combat.
If you like slow-paced war dramas, you should already be excited about this release. But “Masters of the Air” isn’t just for history buffs – it’s also a treat for anyone with eyes. I'm not just talking about the cinematography, although it is stunning: what I mean is that the casting directors clearly took their cues from the well-read books of Band of Brothers and Top Gun, and far and away some of the most attractive actors in the business were looking for up-and-coming stars to portray these soldiers. The series is so full of strapping young men with slicked-back hair that it's almost distracting. Don't worry, we're here to break it down for you. As Slate's expert on all things Austin Butler and swoon-worthy actors, I present: a guide to Masters of the Air's many flying athletes.
Austin Butler as Maj. Gale “Buck” Cleven
Apple TV+
Role: Although Masters of the Air features an ensemble cast, there are undoubtedly two main characters: Majs, the best friends. Cleven and Egan. Of the stunningly good-looking duo, Cleven is the no-nonsense, well-behaved doppelganger who doesn't drink, smoke, gamble, sleep around or even play sports. Instead, he speaks more with his eyes than his mouth, drinks non-alcoholic ginger beer, and is almost always chewing on a toothpick (which only adds to his elegant charm). Cleven is the moral compass of the show. When he's not conducting dangerous missions and airborne landings that no one else seems capable of, he keeps the boys – especially Egan – under control and prioritizes the lives of his men over the success of the mission.
Known for: Most people know Butler from his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic “Elvis” – or rather, from the excitement surrounding the Elvis accent that the actor could never shake. But real Butler fans know him as the charming villain Sebastian Kydd in “The Carrie Diaries”, as the central member of the Manson family Tex Watson in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and of course as the ex-boyfriend of Vanessa Hudgens. Butler is expected to star in the upcoming film Dune 2, where he will look, um, very different.
Flight Crew Rating: 10/10. Listen, I don't know the first thing about flying a plane, but if there's one thing Butler convinces audiences of, it's that he's the pilot. As Cleven, he always maintains his composure under pressure and has great instincts.
Hunkiness rank: Lieutenant General dangling a toothpick from his lips. Could (and would) pull you out of a crashed plane just before it exploded, whisk you to safety like a bride, and whisper “Everything's going to be okay, darling” in your ear.
Callum Turner as Maj. John “Bucky” Egan
Apple TV+
Role: Everything Cleven is, Egan is definitely not. He's way too drunk and sings off key, he loves women on every continent, loves baseball and makes foolhardy decisions without regard to rank or seniority. He is the epitome of a devilishly handsome bad boy (well, as “bad” as a World War II hero can be in a pro-military American war drama), with so much charisma that all the recruits hang on his every word. Egan is brave and lucky enough to come out of any situation unscathed – even when he's reprimanded, he still convinces superiors to do what he wants, and even when he's leading deadly missions, he always has the immaculate-looking plane with him the return.
Known for: Since Turner's breakout role in the 2014 drama Queen and Country, the British actor has played a variety of characters, including Frank Churchill in 2020's Emma, Theseus Scamander in the Harry Potter spinoff series Fantastic Beasts ” and the lead role in George Clooney’s rowing biopic “The Boys.” in the boat.
Flight Crew Rating: 7/10. He may be messy, but Egan is truly a blessed guy. Sure, luck may be fickle, but I am convinced that he could unknowingly fly a plane and land it safely just because fate allowed it.
Hunkiness Rank: Generally, when you do something wrong that feels too right. I should point out that Butler and Turner are at their most attractive on the show when they're on screen together. But he is also definitely impressive as a solo artist.
Barry Keoghan as Lt. Curtis Biddick
Apple TV+
Role: Biddick is the camp's wisecracking lieutenant, with a thick New York accent and mischievous grin. But for all his bravery, he's one of the most serious guys in the 100th century. He is extremely loyal and will do almost anything for his friends.
Known for: The Irish actor made a name for himself playing strange little freaks in Hollywood's premier dramas, including The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Banshees of Inisherin and The Green Knight. Keoghan also dabbled in blockbusters with a role in Marvel's The Eternals. He recently made waves as the protagonist in Emerald Fennell's raunchy film “Saltburn,” which went viral on TikTok and repopularized the early disco-pop song “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
Flight Crew Rating: 6/10. With all the jokes he cracks, Biddick only seems to care about his business. However, he also seems to be the type of person who is stubborn enough to risk the lives of many to save the life of just one.
Hunkiness Rank: First Lieutenant, who bravely defends your honor. Keoghan's looks are a bit unconventional to be considered a classic hunk, but he's almost always charming, and this appearance is no exception. It helps that he's pretty funny as Biddick too – maybe it's the accent?
Anthony Boyle as Lt. Harry Crosby
Apple TV+
Role: Crosby is our narrator and the character who changes the most throughout the story. At the start, Crosby is a bumbling flight navigator whose severe motion sickness gets him and his crew into some close calls. This destroys his confidence as he is surrounded by men like Cleven and Egan who seem larger than life.
Known for: Boyle got his start on the stage, winning an Olivier Award and receiving a Tony nomination for his portrayal of Scorpius Malfoy in the West End and Broadway productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Boyle can also be seen in films such as Tolkien and Tetris, as well as series such as The Plot Against America.
Flight Crew Rating: 3/10. I know the whole point of the series is that Crosby is getting better, but in the first episode his motion sickness causes him to lead his crew into enemy territory in France instead of friendly territory in England. As someone all too familiar with the debilitating effects of motion sickness, this will be difficult for me to get through.
Hunkiness Rank: Major, if you're sick of love. He looks kind of like the boy who ratted you out in middle school, only prettier.
Rafferty “Raff” Law as Sgt. Ken Lemmons
Apple TV+
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Role: Lemmons is one of the engineers on the base, which is arguably the most important job – after all, there would be no pilots without working planes! Not only is he a skilled mechanic, but Lemmons is also an incredibly nice guy who spends his free time hanging out with some of the kids on base and teaching them about aviation and aircraft mechanics.
Known for: If his last name sounds familiar, it's because Raff is the son of star actor Jude Law. This is his first major on-screen role; So far he has only appeared in a few short films and his father's films. However, Law also scores points in the extracurricular area: he models and also makes music with his band Outer Stella Overdrive (which also includes Damon Albarn's nephew Rudy Albarn).
Flight Crew Rating: 10/10. He's one of the smartest flight engineers I've ever seen on TV. (Okay, maybe he's the only one.)
Hunkiness Rank: Captain of repairing planes and hearts. All in all, Lemmons feels more like a handsome guy next door than a heartthrob. But that's why we love him.
Elliot Warren as Lt. James Douglass
Apple TV+
Role: Douglass is a good-natured bombardier who is full of jokes and pick-up lines. He helps round out the cast of the ensemble.
Known for: Before “Masters of the Air,” Warren had small roles in productions such as “How to Have Sex” and 2022's “The Batman.” However, Warren gained greater recognition for his writing for stage and screen, winning an Olivier Award for his debut play “Flesh and Bone”, in which he was also co-director and lead actor.
Flight Crew Rating: 8/10. He seems pretty adept with the bombs and I definitely don't want to touch them. He has it.
Hunkiness Rank: Colonel, who attracts all the attention across the bar… and looks a bit like the widely recognized hunk Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Warren as Douglass looks like a greaser in a 1940s version of New York, and to put it simply, it just works.
Adam Long as Captain Bernard “Benny” DeMarco
Apple TV+
Role: Although Long's role is significantly smaller, he makes up for it with his dual role as soldier and father to Meatball – a husky he won during a game of craps – who DeMarco takes with him when he joins the 100th. Meatball becomes a crowd favorite of the crew and even dances a slow dance with Cleven later in the series.
Known for: Long's career has been primarily in television, appearing in series such as Happy Valley, The Long Shadow, Bancroft and The Bay. He also had small roles in the war films Dunkirk and Cherry.
Flight Crew Rating: 5/10. He brought a dog! But also… he brought a dog?
Hunkiness Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, man's best friend. Again, he brought a dog with him.
James Murray as Colonel Neil “Chick” Harding
Apple TV+
Role: Harding is the senior officer that our boys in the 100th rank interact with the most. On the outside he's a tough guy, but on the inside he's a softie who cares deeply about the life he's responsible for, even as he's committed to his sense of duty.
Known for: Murray is best known for his work on television, which includes Defiance, Primeval and The Crown, in which he plays Prince Andrew.
Flight Crew Rating: 8/10. Harding doesn't actually fly because he's too senior an officer to have to risk his own life. Still, I have no doubt he would get on a plane if necessary. I just…don't know if he can. But I accept it with faith.
Hunkiness Rank: Major General who gives orders and looks good doing it. I have to admit that Harding isn't my typical type, but his dedication to his cause is admirable.
Nate Mann as Maj. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal
Apple TV+
Role: Midway through the show, Rosie, with her strong chin and blue-green eyes, comes into play as a talented pilot sent to further aid our protagonists. He has a pure heart, is a genuinely good guy and a natural leader who makes friends with everyone he meets and steps in when needed.
Known for: Mann is a fairly new actor, with Masters of the Air being his biggest production to date. He previously had a small role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza. He is cast in a recurring role in the upcoming Peacock mystery miniseries Apples Never Fall, starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill.
Flight Crew Readiness Assessment: 10/10. Implicitly, immediately, without hesitation: Where are we going?
Hunkiness Rank: Brigadier General with a sharp chin and eyes you could swim in. Will literally enchant you with his eyes. Maybe he owns me now and writes the whole thing.
Ncuti Gatwa as 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels
Apple TV+
Role: The Tuskegee Airmen don't appear until much later in the series, but when?! My goodness. Only three black fighter pilots from 99 Squadron actually meet our Scalawag crew from 100 Squadron, but they certainly leave their mark. Although they are all lieutenants, Daniels is the de facto leader of the trio.
Known for: The Rwandan-Scottish actor is best known for his role as Eric in the hit Netflix series Sex Education and most recently for his incarnation as the 15th Doctor in the long-running British sci-fi series Doctor Who. Gatwa also acted as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's blockbuster hit Barbie.
Flight Crew Rating: 7/10. Although I don't trust Gatwa's American accent in the series, Daniels seems quite capable of weathering the storms above.
Hunkiness rank: Highest level of perfect skin, even in the thick of war. I can't even joke about it: Ncuti Gatwa is one of the most breathtaking people I've ever seen.
Branden Cook as 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson
Apple TV+
Role: While Daniels is the leader, Jefferson is the head of the trio. He's quite adept at cartography, reads Maugham, has been building complicated models all his life, and can do everything fighter pilots do. If you ever need to find a way out or get yourself out of a jam, he's your man. Because of his ingenuity, he is the black pilot we spend the most time with.
Known for: This is Cook's biggest break to date, but before that he was best known for his appearances on Tell Me Lies and Industry.
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Flight Crew Rating: 10/10. Like Lemmons, if Jefferson told me that up is down and down is up, I would believe him.
Hunkiness Rank: Lieutenant Colonel who makes the perfect plans. Certainly not as attractive as in the industry, but he could still do some damage.
Josiah Cross as 2nd Lt. Richard D Macon
Apple TV+
Role: Macon is the third of the main Tuskegee men we meet in the series, but unfortunately some injuries he sustained before meeting Cleven and Egan's crew prevent him from being as much in the middle of the action as Jefferson. Nevertheless, he proves to be a reliable friend, planner and a good person to brainstorm with.
Known for: Prior to Masters of the Air, Cross' best known roles included a small role in the biopic King Richard and the lead role in A Thousand and One. Cross' stunning performance in the latter cemented his place on the Hollywood map.
Flight Crew Rating: 8/10. Secure! He seems to know his stuff.
Hunkiness Rank: Captain who keeps promises. Even with a neck injury, he's still faint-worthy.