Connect with us


TV

Black Sails (Starz 2014-2017, Toby Stephens, Ray Stevenson)

Published

on


Black Sails is a prequel of sorts to Treasure Island set twenty years before the events of Stevenson’s novel. It’s 1715 and the golden age of Pirates is in full swing. Captain Flint is determined to get his hands on the fabled Spanish treasure galleon Urca de Lima.

Many real life pirates are featured in the series including the likes of Blackbeard, Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny and Charles Vane.

Black Sails just happens to be one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Incredible production details and superb acting combine with an impressive budget to make every episode look like a blockbuster movie. Not only that but the storyline is so detailing and involving that you cannot help but be drawn into the lives of the characters.

Season One
Flint, the most brilliant and most feared pirate captain of his day, takes on a fast-talking young addition to his crew who goes by the name John Silver. Threatened with extinction on all sides, they fight for the survival of New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day – a debauched paradise teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers, a place defined by both its enlightened ideals and its stunning brutality.

Advertisement

Season Two
Season two begins where season one left off – The Walrus crew is stranded, with an army of Spanish soldiers standing between them and the precious Urca gold. And with their crimes against their brethren no longer a secret, Flint (Toby Stephens) and Silver (Luke Arnold) must join forces in a desperate bid for survival. Meanwhile, Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New) struggles to maintain her grip on Nassau, as a new breed of pirate arrives in the form of Ned Low (Tadgh Murphy), a man for whom violence isn’t just a tool … it’s a pastime. As blood is spilled, and tensions mount, Charles Vane (Zach McGowan) must decide which he values more: Eleanor’s life, or the respect of his men. And unbeknownst to all of them, a prize of immeasurable value has already been smuggled onto the island … one whose discovery will alter the very landscape of their world, and force everyone in Nassau toward the ultimate judgment: are they men, or are they monsters? Ray Stevenson looking suitably epic as Blackbeard.

Season Three
In season three, all are tested when a new threat arrives in Nassau, one the pirates could never have anticipated. It knows them. It understands them. And in the blink of an eye, it will turn them against each other. Ray Stevenson joined the cast this season as the notorious Blackbeard. Luke Roberts also arrived playing the role of the real life Woodes Rogers.

Season four will be the final season of the show.

Speaking about the fourth season series co-creator and executive producer Jonathan E. Steinberg said “It’s a rare privilege in television to be given the kind of creative freedom we’ve enjoyed on this show over the last four years. While it was a difficult decision for us to make this season our last, we simply couldn’t imagine anything beyond it that would make for a better ending to the story nor a more natural handoff to Treasure Island.” Indicating that there may well be a Treasure Island series proper which if made to the same standards as Black Sails would make for the best version of the oft-filmed story ever.

Advertisement

production details
USA / Starz – Platinum Dunes – Quaker Moving Pictures – Film Afrika / 28×50-65 minute episodes / Broadcast 25 January 2014 – 2 April 2017

Creators: Jonathan E. Steinberg, Robert Levine / Music: Bear McCreary / Executive Producers: Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, Jonathan E. Steinberg, Chris Symes, Robert Levine, Michael Chernuchin, Dan Shotz

cast
Toby Stephens as James McGraw/Flint
Hannah New as Eleanor Guthrie
Luke Arnold as John Silver
Jessica Parker Kennedy as Max
Tom Hopper as William “Billy Bones” Manderly
Zach McGowan as Charles Vane
Toby Schmitz as Jack Rackham
Clara Paget as Anne Bonny
Mark Ryan as Hal Gates (season 1)
Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Mr. Scott
Sean Cameron Michael as Richard Guthrie
Louise Barnes as Miranda Hamilton/Barlow
Rupert Penry-Jones as Thomas Hamilton (from season 2)
Luke Roberts as Woodes Rogers
Ray Stevenson as Edward Teach

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 25 January – 15 March 2014
1. I (25 Jan 14)
2. II (1 Feb 14)
3. III (8 Feb 15)
4. IV (15 Feb 14)
5. V (22 Feb 14)
6. VI (1 Mar 14)
7. VII (8 Mar 14)
8. VIII (15 Mar 14)

Advertisement

SEASON TWO 24 January – 28 March 2015
1. IX (24 Jan 15)
2. X (31 Jan 15)
3. XI (7 Feb 15)
4. XII (14 Feb 15)
5. XIII (21 Feb 15)
6. XIV (28 Feb 15)
7. XV (7 Mar 15)
8. XVI (14 Mar 15)
9. XVII (21 Mar 15)
10. XVIII (28 Mar 15)

SEASON THREE 22 January – 26 March 2016
1. XIX (23 Jan 16)
2. XX (30 Jan 16)
3. XXI (6 Feb 16)
4. XXII (13 Feb 16)
5. XXIII (20 Feb 16)
6. XXIV (27 Feb 16)
7. XXV (5 Mar 16)
8. XXVI (12 Mar 16)
9. XXVII (19 Mar 16)
10. XXVIII (26 Mar 16)

SEASON FOUR 29 January – 2 April 2017
1. XXIX (29 Jan 17)
2. XXX (5 Feb 17)
3. XXXI (12 Feb 17)
4. XXXII (19 Feb 17)
5. XXXIII (26 Feb 17)
6. XXXIV (5 Mar 17)
7. XXXV (11 Mar 17)
8. XXXVI (19 Mar 17)
9. XXXVII (26 Mar 17)
10. XXXVIII (2 Apr 17)

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

Zatima Zatima
News2 seconds ago

Zatima, March 19, 2024, BET, “Risky Business”

Don’t miss the latest episode of Zatima, titled “Risky Business,” airing on BET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:00...

Shogun Shogun
News52 seconds ago

Shogun, March 19, 2024, FX, “Broken to the Fist”

Prepare yourself for another exciting episode of Shogun titled “Broken to the Fist.” Set to air on FX on Tuesday,...

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Love & Hip Hop Atlanta
News5 mins ago

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, March 19, 2024, MTV, “It’s A (Thirst) Trap”

Join the cast of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta as they navigate the ups and downs of their lives in...

Caught in the Act: Unfaithful Caught in the Act: Unfaithful
News6 mins ago

Caught In The Act: Unfaithful, March 19, 2024, MTV, “There’s No Future in Frontin'”

MTV’s “Caught In The Act: Unfaithful” is set to premiere a brand new episode on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at...

My True Crime Story My True Crime Story
News6 mins ago

Dusty Trammell, My True Crime Story, March 19, 2024, VH1,

Get ready for another episode of VH1’s “My True Crime Story,” airing on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:00 PM....

Port Protection Alaska Port Protection Alaska
News7 mins ago

Port Protection Alaska, March 19, 2024, Nat Geo, “Still Icy”

Nat Geo’s “Port Protection Alaska” is back with a brand new episode titled “Still Icy,” airing on Tuesday, March 19,...

Life Below Zero: First Alaskans Life Below Zero: First Alaskans
News8 mins ago

Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, March 19, 2024, Nat Geo, “Veins of Alaska”

Prepare for an immersive journey into Alaskan wilderness with “Life Below Zero: First Alaskans,” airing on Nat Geo on Tuesday,...

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News4 hours ago

General Hospital, March 19, 2024, ABC,

In the brand new episode of General Hospital, airing on Tuesday March 19, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, viewers will...

Great British Menu Great British Menu
News13 hours ago

The Finals: Starters, Great British Menu, 18 March 2024, BBC Two

Get ready for the brand new episode of Great British Menu, as national finals week kicks off with the starters...

Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Spain
News13 hours ago

Series Premiere, Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the premiere episode of the brand new series “Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain,” Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton...

Panorama Panorama
News13 hours ago

Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis, Panorama, 18 March 2024, BBC One

In the latest episode of Panorama, titled “Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis,” viewers will be taken behind the...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News13 hours ago

Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In a thought-provoking and enlightening new documentary titled “Whites Only: Ade’s Extremist Adventure,” airing on Channel 4 on Monday 18...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News13 hours ago

24 Hours in A&E, 18 March 2024, Channel 4, “Season 32 Episode 3”

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “24 HOURS IN A&E,” viewers are taken inside Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham,...

George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations
News13 hours ago

Chiltern Hills Barber Shop, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations, 18 March 2024, Channel 4

In the latest episode of Channel 4’s “George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations,” architect George Clarke continues to showcase the inspiring stories of...

Traffic Cops Traffic Cops
News14 hours ago

Traffic Cops, 18 March 2024, Channel 5, “Season 13, Episode 14”

In the latest episode of Channel 5’s “Traffic Cops,” viewers will once again be taken on a gripping journey alongside...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News14 hours ago

Coma Series Premiere, 18 March 2024, Channel 5

In the series premiere of the four part Channel 5 drama “Coma,” viewers are introduced to Simon, a devoted family...

Popular