More than two years after Masters of the Air premiered on Apple TV+, the World War II drama remains a major showcase for a generation of rising Hollywood stars. But where are the actors now after portraying the young airmen of the legendary “Bloody Hundredth”?

Released in January 2024, Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group as they carry out dangerous bombing missions over Nazi Germany during World War II. The nine-part series was produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, the team behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific.

At the center of the series was Austin Butler, who portrayed Major Gale Cleven. Butler had already become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young actors after starring as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, but Masters of the Air gave him the opportunity to take on a very different kind of role.

Since the war drama, Butler has continued to build his film career, appearing in major productions including Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders. His role in Masters of the Air also helped cement his reputation as an actor capable of handling serious dramatic material.

Callum Turner played Major John “Bucky” Egan, Cleven’s close friend and fellow pilot. His character became one of the emotional anchors of the series as the story followed the devastating realities faced by the airmen.

Turner has remained busy with major screen projects since the series, continuing to establish himself as one of Britain’s increasingly prominent actors. His performance alongside Butler was also one of the show’s most closely followed relationships.

Anthony Boyle portrayed Lieutenant Harry Crosby, the navigator whose perspective provided another important entry point into the story. Boyle’s performance earned considerable attention, particularly as Crosby’s responsibilities and personal relationships became increasingly complicated throughout the series.

Barry Keoghan also appeared in the early episodes as Lieutenant Curtis Biddick. By the time Masters of the Air arrived, Keoghan was already internationally known for films such as The Banshees of Inisherin and The Batman. His brief but memorable appearance added another major name to the ensemble.

Another familiar face was Ncuti Gatwa, who portrayed Robert Daniels, one of the Tuskegee Airmen. Gatwa’s profile rose dramatically around the same period after he became the lead of Doctor Who. His appearance in Masters of the Air highlighted another important part of the wartime story: the Black pilots who served with the 332nd Fighter Group.

The ensemble also included Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Branden Cook and Josiah Cross, several of whom were relatively early in their screen careers when the series premiered. Apple lists Butler, Turner, Boyle, Mann, Keoghan, Law, Cook, Cross and Gatwa among the principal cast.

Unlike a conventional long-running television series, Masters of the Air was designed as a limited nine-part story. Its finale aired on March 15, 2024, bringing the 100th Bomb Group’s wartime journey to its conclusion.

The series was based on Donald L. Miller’s book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany. Rather than focusing only on military victories, the drama explored the physical and psychological cost of the bombing campaign, including the men who were killed, wounded or captured.

For many viewers, however, one of the most fascinating parts of revisiting the series today is seeing just how many rising stars were brought together in one production.

From Butler’s increasingly high-profile film career to Turner’s continued work, Boyle’s growing recognition and Gatwa’s transformation into one of television’s biggest stars, the Masters of the Air cast has continued moving forward long after the final mission ended.