When a World War II drama series about airmen features the likes of Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, and Callum Turner, it’s reasonable to presume that one of them would be playing the story’s quintessential hotshot pilot. Instead, that honor belongs to Nate Mann, who portrays Lieutenant Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, one of the most decorated real-life B-17 pilots to serve in WWII, on Apple TV+'s Masters of the Air.
Rosenthal, a successful lawyer in New York, transitioned to become a skilled B-17 pilot at Laredo Air Force Base after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mann, dedicated to portraying the role authentically, immersed himself in learning about the B-17 and the responsibilities of a bomber pilot. He utilized technical advisors, studied the cockpit, and even used a flight simulator during his downtime to enhance his performance.
