Our Flag Means Death, HBO Max's pirate comedy, has just been renewed for a second season on the first day of Pride Month after the show enjoyed a successful run throughout its first 10 episodes back in March.
The HBO Max show’s first season, starring Rhys Darby (Stede Bonnet) and Taika Waititi (Blackbeard), took on a loose recreation of the two legendary pirates’ adventure with an unforeseen twist towards the end that saw the two men fall in love with each other. Our Flag Means Death was praised not only due to the way it adapted Waititi's signature humor, but also for its representation of several gay and non-binary characters, including its two protagonists
As stated in the press release published by WarnerMedia, after finding love in season one, Stede and Ed will now have to survive it. The news came without an estimated release time frame for season two, although creator David Jenkins thanked fans of the series for making another voyage aboard the revenge possible for what seemed like a limited-run series when it came out. "We felt the show was special while we were making it, but fans' open-armed embrace of the inhabitants of the Revenge makes heading into a second season all the more sweet. Thanks to our team at HBO Max, our invested executive producers, and our wildly enthusiastic audience for making another voyage to this world possible," Jenkins said.
"We are so happy to bring this truly one of a kind series back! We congratulate David, Taika, Rhys and the entire talented cast and crew, and thank the show’s fans for embracing it wholeheartedly," added Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max. Besides Waititi and Darby, Our Flag Means Death also starred Con O'Neill, Samson Kayo, Vico Ortiz, Kristian Nairn and Rory Kinnear, in addition to appearances from Leslie Jones, Fred Armisen, Nick Kroll, and Will Arnett, with most of the surviving core cast expected to return next season. Our Flag Means Death's strong casting is one of its better attributes for a series that lacked the hype of many other current shows.
Unlike other productions prominently featuring LGBTQ+ characters, Our Flag Means Death's subtle approach to introducing its gay love story was seen by many as the series’ trump card to flip its narrative into content that's truly different from almost anything else out there. One thing to keep in mind is that season one largely followed a loose interpretation of historical facts, and it’s still not clear if this is the path Jenkins will pursue or not, as following history would mean eventually killing off the Edward Teach and Bonnet.
With Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's legal battle pushing the nail even further in the Pirates of the Caribbean coffin, Our Flag Means Death is the best alternative to fill that pirate-shaped hole for many fans. Well, that and Sea of Thieves' Lost Sand of Adventure or the now-classic Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Our Flag Means Death season 1 is now available on HBO Max.
Source: WarnerMedia