A brand new comedy TV show has joined the ranks of BBC Two, and is already leaving fans blown away. Our Flag Means Death, written by David Jenkins, is a 10 part interpretation of how World famous Bristol pirate Blackbeard joined forced with a man who left his family behind to pursue the ocean.
After airing in the US early last year, the series has finally made it to the UK and is available to watch immediately on iPlayer, or in the traditional manner of one episode a week. Whichever way you watch it, fans have grown rather fond of their bumbling pirate crew.
The series stars Rhys Derby as pirate-dandy Stede Bonnet, and Taika Waititi as the dread pirate Blackbeard. Don't think you'll be hearing any familiar Westcountry accents on the show, however - both stars stick to their comfortable Kiwi accents.
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A new episode airs every Wednesday, with the first one shown on January 4. This first episode sets up the story to follow - Steve, a wealthy merchant trader from somewhere, decides to release his family behind and buys a boat and a pirate crew. He pays them well, encourages creativity within the crew, and reads them a bedtime story.
Eventually, he runs into Blackbeard who, despite being the most feared pirate on the seven seas, actually rather likes the strange man who wears silk clothes and has an entire library on his ship. The two strike up a bargain - Blackbeard will teach Stede to become a real pirate, if Stede teaches him how to be less… Blackbeard-y.
The two really did form a friendship in history, and sailed together for a while, before eventually being captured by the British Navy.
Stede Bonnet is not your average pirate. And, with a number of openly LGBTQ characters and cast mates, this is not your average pirate show. Without giving too much away, the show flips the traditional expectation of pirates on its head, instead showing a group of pretty terrible, if enthusiastic pirates, who don’t typically fit in - on land, or at sea.
At the heart of the show is the budding romance between Blackbeard and Stede, culminating in later episodes. Fans of the show, especially queer fans, have flocked to the series already in the States, citing it as a shining example of a show that shows positive LGBTQ+ relationships in a casual light.
One fan said: “Logging back in JUST to say that Our Flag Means Death is the best telly I watched last year, and the whole season is on BBC iPlayer and I promise you if you watch it it'll help you get through the void time known as January and February”
Another added: “Helllllooooo Our Flag Means Death on actual real British TV!!! Everyone go and watch it so we get series two on BBC as well please; it’s excellent!“
The show has already become a firm favourite of fans overseas, who are excited to finally share it here: “BRITISH PALS! Our Flag Means Death is now available on BBC iPlayer, and I’m begging you to watch it.
“A hilarious but heartwarming pirate comedy that exudes charm, it’s just fun to watch. But, importantly it is overtly, openly, and honestly, queer!”
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