Our Flag Means Death is an American period romantic comedy television series created by David Jenkins. Set in 1717 during the Golden Age of Piracy, the series follows the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and his crew aboard the Revenge as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates and cross paths with famed pirate captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi).
The first season premiered in March 2022 on HBO Max and the second season premiered in October 2023 on the renamed Max streaming service. The series was canceled in January 2024 after two seasons.
Despite a subdued launch, the series gradually gained word-of-mouth momentum and became a sleeper hit with a cult following. Its unexpected growth in popularity has been compared to the surprise success of Ted Lasso. Since its release, the series has been widely regarded as one of the best and most beloved examples of LGBTQ+ media.
Our Flag Means Death garnered critical acclaim, including praise for its LGBTQ+ representation. Critics consider the series to be one of the best sitcoms of the 2020s. The series won an Art Directors Guild Award, a Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award, an Australian Production Design Guild Award, a New Zealand Television Award, and was named one of the top ten TV series that represent the best in humanity by the Greater Good Science Center. The series also earned Peabody Award, Nebula Award, Hollywood Critics Association Award, Dorian TV Award, and GLAAD Media Award nominations.
Premise The series is loosely based on the life of Stede Bonnet, also known as the "Gentleman Pirate". Set in 1717, the first season depicts the early days of Bonnet's career as a pirate after abandoning his family and his comfortable life as a member of the landed gentry of Barbados. Bonnet is portrayed as having little or no aptitude for this role, with no experience beyond that of his privileged life.
Aboard their ship, the Revenge, the newly minted Captain Bonnet and his dysfunctional crew struggle to survive against deadly threats both from naval warships and other bloodthirsty pirates. During their misadventures, the crew of the Revenge cross paths with notorious pirate captain Edward Teach and his crew, including First Mate Izzy Hands. Comedy and chaos ensue as Teach and Bonnet fall in love.
Cast and characters Main Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, a wealthy Barbadian landowner, who has grown tired of his sedentary life and unhappy marriage and abandoned his family to begin a life of piracy despite having no aptitude for it. After purchasing a ship and hiring a crew, he seeks to brand himself as the Gentleman Pirate. Rhys Darby's son Theo Darby portrays Stede Bonnet as a child. Ewen Bremner as Nathaniel Buttons, the grizzled first mate on the Revenge whom Stede often calls upon for advice and who is capable of talking with seagulls. Joel Fry as Frenchie, a crewmate on the Revenge who often sings of the crew's adventures. Samson Kayo as Oluwande Boodhari, a level-headed crewmate on the Revenge who is sympathetic to Stede and tries to steer him away from danger. Nathan Foad as Lucius Spriggs, a scribe on the Revenge tasked with keeping a record of its adventures who often helps Stede come to terms with his feelings. Vico Ortiz as Jim Jimenez, a skilled fighter who has a bounty on their head for killing one of Spanish Jackie's husbands. Matthew Maher as Black Pete, an irritable pirate aboard the Revenge who claims to have crewed with Blackbeard. Kristian Nairn as Wee John Feeney, a crewmate on the Revenge obsessed with fire. Rory Kinnear as Captain Nigel Badminton (season 1), a Royal Navy officer who bullied Stede when they were children. Kinnear also portrays Nigel's twin brother, Admiral Chauncey Badminton. Con O'Neill as Israel "Izzy" Hands, Blackbeard's ruthless first mate who has served under him for many years. Guz Khan as Ivan (season 1), a member of Blackbeard's crew who joins him on the Revenge. David Fane as Kevin / Fang, an emotional member of Blackbeard's crew who joins him on the Revenge. Taika Waititi as Edward "Ed" Teach / Blackbeard, the legendary and feared pirate captain who has become bored with his life and career, feeling that his reputation has made it too easy. Samba Schutte as Roach (season 2; recurring season 1), a cleaver-wielding cook and doctor on the Revenge.
Recurring Nat Faxon as The Swede, a Swedish crewmate on the Revenge, often clueless of what's going on. Claudia O'Doherty as Mary Bonnet (season 1), Stede's wife. Boris McGiver as Father Bonnet (season 1), Stede's emotionally abusive father. William Barber-Holler as Louis Bonnet (season 1), Stede and Mary's son. Eden Grace Redfield as Alma Bonnet (season 1), Stede and Mary's daughter. Michael Patrick Crane as Officer Wellington (season 1), a Royal Navy officer who is taken hostage by Stede's crew. Connor Barrett as Officer Hornberry (season 1), a Royal Navy officer who is taken hostage by Stede's crew. Leslie Jones as Spanish Jackie, a powerful and feared pirate bar owner in the Republic of Pirates who has had 19 husbands. Fred Armisen as Geraldo (season 1), a shifty barkeep in the Republic of Pirates and one of Jackie's husbands. Madeleine Sami as Archie (season 2), a new member of Blackbeard's crew who forms a close bond with Jim. Ruibo Qian as Zheng Yi Sao (season 2), the pirate queen of China and captain of an all-female ship, the Red Flag, who initially masquerades as Susan, a soup seller. Anapela Polataivao as Auntie (season 2), the first mate and navigator for Zheng Yi Sao's crew. Erroll Shand as Richard "Ricky" Banes (season 2), a prince of minor nobility who became inspired by Stede to embrace the pirate lifestyle, but later leads an anti-piracy campaign after his attempt at becoming a pirate leaves him without a nose.
Guest Gary Farmer as Chief Mabo (season 1), an indigenous leader who is wary of colonizers. Benton Jennings as an Anglican priest (season 1), who droningly performs Mary and Stede's marriage ceremony near a lighthouse. Nick Kroll as Gabriel (season 1), a French aristocrat and Antoinette's partner/brother. Kristen Schaal as Antoinette (season 1), a French aristocrat and Gabriel's partner/sister. Brian Gattas as Siegfried (season 1), a German aristocrat. Yvonne Zima as Fleur de Maguis (season 1), a French aristocrat. Angus Sampson as George I (season 1), the King of Great Britain who issues the Act of Grace in an attempt to suppress piracy. Simone Kessell as Mother Teach (season 1), Blackbeard's mother. Damien Gerard as Father Teach (season 1), Blackbeard's father. Selenis Leyva as "Nana" (season 1), a nun from St. Augustine who was Jim's guardian and mentor. Will Arnett as Calico Jack (season 1), a recently deposed pirate captain and former friend of Blackbeard who served with him under Captain Hornigold. Kristen Johnston as Evelyn Higgins (season 1), Mary's friend who attends a community gathering for widows. Tim Heidecker as Doug (season 1), Mary's painting instructor and lover. Mark Mitchinson as Benjamin "Ben" Hornigold (season 2), a pirate captain whom Blackbeard previously served under. He appears to Blackbeard during a dream sequence. Maaka Pohatu as John Bartholomew (season 2), a pirate captain whose ship is captured by Zheng Yi Sao. Rachel House as Mary Read (season 2), a former pirate and an old acquaintance of Blackbeard who has a love-hate relationship with Anne. Minnie Driver as Anne "Annie" Bonny (season 2), a former pirate and an old acquaintance of Blackbeard who collects antiques with Mary. Bronson Pinchot as Ned Low (season 2), a pirate captain and musician whose record for most raids at sea is broken by Blackbeard. Josie Whittlesey as Hellkat Maggie (season 2), the torturer for Ned's crew.
Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2023)
Production Development Creator and showrunner David Jenkins was inspired to write the show after learning about Stede Bonnet from his wife and subsequently reading his Wikipedia article. He was particularly interested in filling in the blanks of Bonnet's life, trying to find his motivations for abandoning his family as well as understanding why Blackbeard took him under his wing. From the outset he envisioned the show as centering on a romantic relationship between Bonnet and Blackbeard, and pitched it as such.
Taika Waititi, who shares a manager with Jenkins, became involved after Jenkins told him the story of Stede Bonnet and asked if he wanted to be involved. Waititi was attracted to the project because of what he believed to be Jenkins' original approach to pirates. In subsequent discussions, they agreed that a romance between Bonnet and Teach was "the reason to do the show". Garrett Basch later joined the project as executive producer after reading the script for the pilot episode.
The show was given a straight to series order by HBO Max in September 2020 with Jenkins, Basch and Halstead as executive producers, and Waititi as both an executive producer and director of the first episode. On June 1, 2022, the series was renewed for a second season. The second season's budget was reduced by 40% due to companywide cutbacks at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Casting Casting an actor to play Stede Bonnet began shortly after the series was ordered. While Rhys Darby's name was mentioned early in the process, it was not until after an unsuccessful round of auditions and most of the script had been written that he was again brought into consideration. His casting was officially announced in January 2021. Jenkins stated that Darby made an otherwise unlikable Stede Bonnet likeable, telling SlashFilm that he was "the only person who could play it". Darby, whose career has consisted primarily of supporting comedic roles, saw the role as an opportunity to branch out and play a leading, and more dramatic role, telling Deadline "I looked at myself and how much experience I've had over the years and I felt maybe it is time to step up."
Taika Waititi, who was already attached as executive producer and director, joined the cast to play Blackbeard four months later in April 2021. Jenkins had begun writing the role with Waititi in mind, and eventually approached him over text asking if he would be interested in playing Blackbeard. In the official casting announcement Jenkins said of Waititi "Our Blackbeard is a legend, a lover, a fighter, a tactical genius, a poetic soul and quite possibly insane. Only one man could play this role, and that is the great Taika Waititi. We're thrilled beyond measure he's decided to don the beard."
In June, it was announced that Kristian Nairn, Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Rory Kinnear, Con O'Neill and Vico Ortiz had been added to the cast, with the additions of Ewen Bremner, David Fane, Joel Fry, Guz Khan and Matthew Maher announced in July. In August, it was announced that Leslie Jones, Nat Faxon, Fred Armisen and Samba Schutte were cast in recurring roles.
Filming Filming took place between June 14 and September 28, 2021. Taika Waititi, who serves as an executive producer, also directed the pilot episode, which was filmed after Waititi completed production on Thor: Love and Thunder. The scenes aboard the Revenge were filmed on a soundstage using StageCraft.
The second season began filming on September 25, 2022, in New Zealand. The New Zealand Film Commission and Tourism New Zealand partnered with Max for a tourism campaign that highlighted the economic and cultural benefits the production brought to New Zealand. Filming wrapped on December 13, 2022.
Music The original score for the series was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh. On May 5, 2022, it was announced that the soundtrack album for the first season would be released by WaterTower Music on May 6, 2022. The soundtrack for the second season released on October 26, 2023.
Cancellation