Black Sails (2014)
The savage, sun-scorched world of Golden Age piracy comes alive in this bold STARZ prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
Black Sails - Series Information
- Original Title: Black Sails
- First Air Year: 2014
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Created by: Robert Levine, Jonathan E. Steinberg
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 38
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: January 25, 2014 (United States - TV-MA), January 25, 2014 (Canada - 18+), January 25, 2014 (United Kingdom - 15), January 25, 2014 (Germany - 16), January 25, 2014 (France - 12), January 25, 2014 (New Zealand - 16), January 25, 2014 (Australia - R 18+), January 25, 2014 (Brazil - 16), January 25, 2014 (Mexico - D), January 25, 2014 (Italy - VM18), January 25, 2014 (Spain - 16), January 25, 2014 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: STARZ
- Alternative Titles: Black Sails／ブラック・セイルズ (JP)
- Production Companies: Quaker Moving Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Film Afrika
- Production Countries: South Africa, United States of America
Black Sails - Plot
The pirate adventures of Captain Flint and his men twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic "Treasure Island." 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.
Black Sails - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the treacherous world of New Providence come to life:
Take what's yours.
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Black Sails - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Robert Levine
- Jonathan E. Steinberg
Main Cast
- Toby Stephens
- Luke Arnold
- Hannah New
- Jessica Parker Kennedy
- Toby Schmitz
- Tom Hopper
- Clara Paget
- Zach McGowan
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Louise Barnes
Writers
- Jonathan E. Steinberg
- Robert Levine
- Brad Kane
- Dan Shotz
- Lisa Schultz Boyd
Executive Producers
- Michael Bay
- Robert Levine
- Andrew Form
- Brad Fuller
- Jonathan E. Steinberg
Black Sails - FAQs
Is Black Sails a prequel to Treasure Island?
Yes. Black Sails is set roughly twenty years before the events of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. It depicts the origins of iconic characters including Captain Flint and a young John Silver, blending real historical pirates with Stevenson's fictional world in a gritty, serialized narrative.
Where can you stream Black Sails online?
Black Sails is available on Netflix, Starz, and Amazon Prime Video (free tier), among other platforms. You can also rent or purchase episodes on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Are the pirates in Black Sails real historical figures?
Several characters are based on real Golden Age pirates. Charles Vane, Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, and Blackbeard were genuine historical figures active in the early 18th century. Captain Flint, John Silver, and Billy Bones originate from Stevenson's Treasure Island, while Eleanor Guthrie and others are original creations.
Who are the main actors in Black Sails?
The principal cast includes Toby Stephens as Captain Flint, Luke Arnold as John Silver, Hannah New as Eleanor Guthrie, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Max, Toby Schmitz as Jack Rackham, Tom Hopper as Billy Bones, Clara Paget as Anne Bonny, Zach McGowan as Charles Vane, Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Mr. Scott, and Louise Barnes as Miranda Barlow.
How many seasons and episodes does Black Sails have?
Black Sails ran for four seasons and 38 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 8 episodes, while Seasons 2, 3, and 4 each comprised 10 episodes. The series premiered on January 25, 2014, and concluded in 2017 on the STARZ network.
What is the content rating for Black Sails?
Black Sails is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains strong violence, sexual content, and adult language throughout its run, consistent with STARZ's premium cable programming standards.
Did Black Sails win any awards or critical recognition?
Black Sails earned recognition primarily for its technical craftsmanship. The series received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Special Visual Effects, winning the award multiple times across its run. Critics praised its production design, costume work, and the ambitious scope of its maritime action sequences.
Who created and produced Black Sails?
Black Sails was created by Robert Levine and Jonathan E. Steinberg. The series was executive produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form, and Brad Fuller through Platinum Dunes, alongside Levine and Steinberg via Quaker Moving Pictures. It was produced primarily in South Africa by Film Afrika.
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