From ‘Band of Brothers’ to ‘Catch-22’: 5 TV shows to fill in the 'Masters of the Air' void
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fans were indeed thrilled when Apple TV+ dropped the last episode of the engrossing war drama ‘Masters of the Air’.
The John Shiban and John Orloff-helmed mini-series stars Austin Butler as Major Gale 'Buck' Cleven, Callum Turner as Major John 'Bucky' Egan, Anthony Boyle as Lt. Harry Crosby, and Nate Mann as Major Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal.
Based on the 2007 book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, the series revolves around the 100th Bomb Group unit and their harrowing bombing missions over Germany during World War II.
If you're a fan of ‘Masters of the Air’ and are searching for similar shows to satisfy your craving, here are five TV series that could capture your interest.
Band of Brothers (2001)
‘Band of Brothers’, a 2001 American war drama miniseries, is an ideal series to fill in the ‘Masters of the Air’ void.
Produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the series is based on the book of the same name by historian Stephen E. Ambrose.
‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘Masters of the Air’ both offer compelling perspectives on World War II, focusing on different American military units.
‘Band of Brothers’ follows the story of the soldiers of Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, as they participate in various campaigns on the Western Front throughout Europe during World War II.
The Pacific (2010)
‘The Pacific’ follows three Marines – Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge, and John Basilone – as they navigate the brutal realities of combat during World War II.
Known as a companion piece to 'Band of Brothers', this series focuses on the actions of the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations, particularly in the larger context of the Pacific War. Akin to 'Masters of the Air', 'The Pacific' sheds light on the experiences of young soldiers.
Catch-22 (2019)
‘Catch-22’, a miniseries based on Joseph Heller's 1961 novel of the same name, is set during World War II and follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier.
‘Catch-22’ offers a comedic and satirical twist that serves as a great counterbalance to the serious and dramatic tone of ‘Masters of the Air’.
Directed by George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Ellen Kuras, ‘Catch-22’ is a perfect follow-up for viewers seeking a change of pace after witnessing intense drama in Apple TV+'s latest production.
X Company (2015)
‘X Company’, which premiered on CBC from 2015 to 2017, is set against the backdrop of World War II and follows the journey of five recruits as they undergo training to become agents at a secret Canadian training facility known as Camp X.
In 2017, Ovation, a television network in the United States, acquired the rights to broadcast the series, bringing it to American audiences.
While ‘Masters of the Air’ primarily focuses on aerial warfare over Europe, ‘Camp X’ delves into the realm of espionage operations.
Das Boot (2018)
‘Das Boot’ revolves around the events of the Second World War both at sea, aboard various U-boats engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic and the Allied invasion of Italy, as well as on land, depicting the war's impact on Europe and America.
The German television series, which is based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's book and its sequel, Die Festung, is another production to consider after watching ‘Masters of the Air’.
With its intense storytelling, great performances, and realistic portrayal of submarine warfare, ‘Das Boot’ offers a compelling viewing experience that is sure to captivate fans of ‘Masters of the Air’.
