Our Flag Means Death TV Series (2022) – Watch Online, Release Date, Cast, Episodes, Story, Platform, Trailer, Poster, Review

Trailer, Teaser & Videos
Our Flag Means Death TV Series Details
Country | United States |
Languages | English |
Genres | Action, Adventure, Biography, Comedy, History, Romance |
Seasons | 2 |
Episodes | 18 |
Release date | March 3, 2022 – March 24, 2022 |
Running time | 26–36 minutes |
Age rating | TV-MA |
Starring | Rhys Darby, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Samson Kayo, Nathan Foad, Vico Ortiz, Matthew Maher, Kristian Nairn, Rory Kinnear, Con O’Neill, Guz Khan, David Fane, Taika Waititi, Samba Schutte |
Created by | David Jenkins |
Directed by | Fernando Frias, Andrew DeYoung, Nacho Vigalondo, Bertie Ellwood, Amber Templemore, David Jenkins, Taika Waititi |
Written by | David Jenkins, Zayre Ferrer, Eliza Jiménez Cossio, William Meny, John Mahone, James Tom, Natalie Torres, Alyssa Lane, Alex J. Sherman, Simone Nathan, Adam Stein, Yvonne Zima |
Produced by | Todd King, Allen Marshall Palmer |
Executive producers | Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, David Jenkins, Taika Waititi |
Cinematography by | Mike Berlucchi, Cynthia Pusheck |
Editing by | Christian Kinnard, Hilda Rasula, Daniel Haworth, Gina Samsom |
Music by | Mark Mothersbaugh |
Casting by | Theo Park |
Production Design by | Ra Vincent, Bradley Rubin, Adam Wheatley |
Art Direction by | Brittany Bradford, Stephen Dudro, Bradley Rubin, Adam Wheatley, Samantha Avila, Alec Contestabile, Andy McLaren |
Set Decoration by | Christopher Carlson, Jeffrey Kushon, Megan Vertelle |
Costume Design by | Christine Wada, Gypsy Taylor |
Production Company | Waititi, Human Animals, CereProds, Dive |
Original Network | HBO Max |
Our Flag Means Death Cast & 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. After he collects various items for an “avian transmogrification” spell, he seemingly transforms into a seagull and flies away.
- Joel Fry as Frenchie, a crewmate on the Revenge who often sings of the crew’s adventures. At the end of the first season, he joins Blackbeard’s crew.
- 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. His relationship with Black Pete leads to their eventual marriage at the end of the second season.
- Vico Ortiz as Jim Jimenez, a skilled fighter who has a bounty on their head for killing one of Spanish Jackie’s husbands. With their friend and eventual lover Oluwande’s help, they join the crew of the Revenge in disguise while posing as a mute. At the end of the first season, they join Blackbeard’s crew. Allyson Juliette portrays Jim as a child.
- Matthew Maher as Black Pete, an irritable pirate aboard the Revenge who claims to have crewed with Blackbeard. He later becomes Lucius’s husband.
- 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. He becomes fascinated with Bonnet after hearing about him from his first mate Izzy, and decides to seek him out. Mateo Gallegos portrays Edward Teach as a child.
- 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. At the beginning of the second season, he leaves Stede’s crew after becoming Jackie’s twentieth husband but later rejoins at the end of the season.
- 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. At the end of the second season, she joins the crew of the Revenge.
- 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. At the end of the second season, she joins the crew of the Revenge.
- Anapela Polataivao as Auntie (season 2), the first mate and navigator for Zheng Yi Sao’s crew. At the end of the second season, she joins the crew of the Revenge.
- 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 Jack Rackham / 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.
Our Flag Means Death Storyline
Based on the true adventures of 18th-century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby). After trading in the seemingly-charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede becomes captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes change after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard. Stede and crew attempt to get their ship together and survive life on the high seas.
About Our Flag Means Death TV Series
Our Flag Means Death is an American period romantic comedy television series created by David Jenkins. It stars Rhys Darby, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Samson Kayo, Nathan Foad, Vico Ortiz, Matthew Maher, Kristian Nairn, Rory Kinnear, Con O’Neill, Guz Khan, David Fane, Taika Waititi, and Samba Schutte.
Our Flag Means Death Development
- Creator and showrunner David Jenkins was inspired to write the show after learning about Stede Bonnet from his wife and reading his Wikipedia article.
- Jenkins was particularly interested in filling in the blanks of Bonnet’s life, focusing on his motivations for abandoning his family and why Blackbeard took him under his wing.
- From the start, Jenkins envisioned the show as centered on a romantic relationship between Bonnet and Blackbeard and pitched it as such.
- Taika Waititi became involved after Jenkins shared the story of Stede Bonnet and asked if he wanted to participate.
- Waititi was attracted to the project because of Jenkins’ original approach to pirates.
- During discussions, they agreed that a romance between Bonnet and Blackbeard was “the reason to do the show.”
- Garrett Basch joined as an executive producer after reading the pilot episode script.
- 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.
Our Flag Means Death Casting
- Casting for Stede Bonnet began shortly after the series was ordered.
- Rhys Darby’s name was mentioned early in the process, but it wasn’t until after an unsuccessful round of auditions and most of the script had been written that he was reconsidered. Darby’s casting was officially announced in January 2021. Jenkins stated that Darby made an otherwise unlikable Stede Bonnet likeable, calling him “the only person who could play it.”
- Darby, primarily known for supporting comedic roles, saw this as an opportunity to branch out into a leading, more dramatic role.
- Taika Waititi joined the cast as Blackbeard in April 2021, four months after being attached as executive producer and director.
- Jenkins had written the role of Blackbeard with Waititi in mind and approached him over text to gauge his interest. In the official casting announcement, Jenkins described Waititi’s Blackbeard as “a legend, a lover, a fighter, a tactical genius, a poetic soul and quite possibly insane,” stating that only Waititi could play the role.
- In June, Kristian Nairn, Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Rory Kinnear, Con O’Neill, and Vico Ortiz were added to the cast.
- In July, Ewen Bremner, David Fane, Joel Fry, Guz Khan, and Matthew Maher joined the cast. In August, Leslie Jones, Nat Faxon, Fred Armisen, and Samba Schutte were cast in recurring roles.
Our Flag Means Death Filming
- Filming for the first season 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 completing production on Thor: Love and Thunder.
- Scenes aboard the Revenge were filmed on a soundstage using StageCraft.
- Filming for the second season began 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 brought by the show’s production to New Zealand.
- Filming for the second season wrapped on December 13, 2022.
Our Flag Means Death Release Date
Season | Episodes | First Released | Last Released | Network |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | March 3, 2022 | March 24, 2022 | HBO Max |
2 | 8 | October 5, 2023 | October 26, 2023 | Max |
Our Flag Means Death’s first season premiered on HBO Max on March 3, 2022, and released 2–3 weekly episodes through March 24, 2022. The season finale, which consisted of episodes 9 and 10, received an advance screening for members of the Television Academy on March 22, 2022.
The first season debuted to popular acclaim and ranks among the top five most watched HBO Max comedy series launches. Although audiences were initially slow to discover the series, viewership steadily increased as word-of-mouth spread. Audience demand more than tripled during the three weeks between the series premiere and the season 1 finale. During this time, its popularity surpassed every HBO and Max Original series.
On January 9, 2024, series creator David Jenkins announced that Max had canceled the series after two seasons. Jenkins stated he had originally planned for three seasons[60] and referred to the cancellation as a “premature end”. According to some reports, the third season was set to begin pre-production in New Zealand, in October 2024, Jenkins stated he has not ruled out a return to the show.
Our Flag Means Death Episodes
Where to Watch Our Flag Means Death TV Series Online?
Awards & Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Golden Trailer Awards | Best Comedy Poster for a TV/Streaming Series | Our Flag Means Death, HBO Max | Nominated |
2022 | Dorian TV Awards | Best TV Comedy | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2022 | Dorian TV Awards | Best LGBTQ TV Show | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2022 | Dorian TV Awards | Best Unsung TV Show | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Actor | Rhys Darby | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Supporting Actor | Vico Ortiz | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Supporting Actor | Taika Waititi | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Guest Actress | Leslie Jones | Nominated |
2022 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Ensemble of the Year | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2022 | Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards | Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Rhys Darby | Nominated |
2022 | Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Taika Waititi | Nominated |
2022 | Hollywood Critics Association Television Awards | Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Taika Waititi (for “Pilot”) | Nominated |
2022 | The Queerties | Favorite TV Performance | Vico Ortiz | Nominated |
2022 | Autostraddle TV Awards | Outstanding Cis Male Character | Taika Waititi | Runner-up |
2022 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite New Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2022 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2022 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite Performer in a Cable or Streaming Comedy Series | Rhys Darby | Won |
2022 | Clio Entertainment Awards | Television/Series: Public Relations | Our Flag Means Death, HBO Max, The Syndicate | Shortlisted |
2022 | IMDb Best of 2022 Awards | Fan Favorite Cast | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2023 | Art Directors Guild Awards | Excellence in Production Design for a Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series | Ra Vincent (for “Pilot”) | Won |
2023 | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling | Margarita Pidgeon, Stacy Bisel, Kate Loftis, Christopher Enlow | Won |
2023 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding New Series | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2023 | Nebula Awards | Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2023 | Peabody Awards | Entertainment | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2023 | Golden Tomato Awards | Best-Reviewed Series by Genre: Top 10 Best Comedy Series of 2023 | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2024 | Art Directors Guild Awards | Excellence in Production Design for a Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series | Ra Vincent (for “Impossible Birds”, “Red Flags”, “Man on Fire”) | Nominated |
2024 | The Queerties | Favorite TV Comedy | Our Flag Means Death | Runner-up |
2024 | The Queerties | Favorite TV Performance | Vico Ortiz | Runner-up |
2024 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite Cable or Streaming Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2024 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite Performer in a Cable or Streaming Comedy Series | Rhys Darby | Won |
2024 | Tell-Tale TV Awards | Favorite Performer in a Cable or Streaming Comedy Series | Ruibo Qian | Nominated |
2024 | International Online Cinema Awards | Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Minnie Driver | Nominated |
2024 | GLAAD Media Award | Outstanding Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2024 | Dorian TV Awards | Best Unsung TV Show | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2024 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Series | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2024 | Gold Derby TV Awards | Best Comedy Actor | Rhys Darby | Nominated |
2024 | Astra Awards | Best Actor in a Streaming Comedy Series | Rhys Darby | Nominated |
2024 | Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity | Social & Influencer | Our Flag Means Death, Max, Tourism New Zealand, Augusto | Nominated |
2024 | Clio Entertainment Awards | Public Service: Branded Entertainment & Content | Our Flag Means Death, Max, Tourism New Zealand, Augusto | Won |
2024 | Australian Production Design Guild Awards | Catherine Martin Costume Design for a Television Production | Gypsy Taylor | Won |
2024 | Australian Production Design Guild Awards | Production Art Department and Design Awards Concept Art | Adam Wheatley | Nominated |
2024 | Autostraddle TV Awards | Outstanding Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Series | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2024 | Autostraddle TV Awards | Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor Playing an LGBTQ+ Character in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Series | Vico Ortiz | Nominated |
2024 | Autostraddle TV Awards | Fan Favorite Out LGBTQ+ Actor | Vico Ortiz | Won |
2024 | TV Choice Awards | Best Comedy Show | Our Flag Means Death | Nominated |
2024 | Greater Good Science Center Goodie Awards | 10 TV Series That Highlight the Best in Humanity: Transformational Love Award | Our Flag Means Death | Won |
2024 | New Zealand Television Awards | Best Soundtrack | Our Flag Means Death, Pinnacle Post | Won |
2025 | Producers Guild of America Awards | Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television | Taika Waititi (for Our Flag Means Death) | Won |