The Epic Voyage Continues: Prepare for Season 2 of Our Flag Means Death

Released in March 2022, Our Flag Means Death has achieved remarkable success. Marketed as a comedic take on pirates, audiences initially had uncertainties. However, through word-of-mouth, the show has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. In addition to its clever humor, Our Flag Means Death addresses significant themes such as masculinity and LGBTQ+ representation. Recently, a heartwarming project involving 256 artists showcased Stede and Ed's kiss, demonstrating the immense support from fans.

Furthermore, Our Flag Means Death has garnered extensive acclaim for its portrayal of non-binary characters. By addressing discrimination and highlighting LGBTQ+ relationships, the show has become a groundbreaking television phenomenon, leaving fans hungry for more.

Our Flag Means Death faced a highly uncertain future, leaving fans in the dark for months with no updates on its renewal. Concern grew among fans as major streaming services began canceling numerous TV shows that featured LGBTQ+ representation. In response, fans took to Twitter with the hashtag #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath and even wrote letters to Max, the show's creator, in an effort to secure the future of the beloved series. Finally, in June 2022, fans' fears were put to rest when it was officially announced that Our Flag Means Death would be returning for a second season.

During an interview with Gizmodo, David Jenkins, the show's creator, directly acknowledged the support of the fans as the reason for its renewal, stating, "I think that the fandom response is the reason that we have the next season of the show." Filming for the second season wrapped up in December 2022, and fans can expect the premiere of the highly anticipated next installment later this year. With the release just around the corner, here's what you need to know before the second season hits the screens.

Who has been cast in season 2?

The majority of the show's star-studded cast will thankfully return for the upcoming second season. Taika Waititi, who portrays the fearsome Blackbeard, and Rhys Darby, known for his role as the infamous Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet, will continue to captivate viewers as the beloved leads. Additionally, fan-favorites including Joel Fry as Frenchie, Con O'Neill as Izzy, Samson Kayo as Oluwande, and Vico Ortiz as Jim will also make their return. Building upon the success of the first season, which showcased a fantastic array of guest stars, such as Will Arnett in the memorable role of the troublesome Calico Jack, fans eagerly anticipate an abundance of exciting celebrity cameos in the second season.

Unfortunately, it has been announced that Guz Khan will not be returning for season 2. Khan, who played Ivan, one of Blackbeard's crew members, addressed the confusion surrounding his departure from the show in a Twitter post. He explained that sometimes the industry chooses a different creative direction, or it could be a financial decision, or they simply weren't feeling his performance. However, Khan sees it as part of the journey and finds the fun in it. Fans speculate that Khan's exit will shift the focus to Blackbeard and his "new" crew.

In a surprising turn of events, Nathan Foad is likely to return as Lucius. In June 2022, Foad seemed to confirm his character's comeback through an Instagram post. He shared the official renewal announcement and added the caption "SEASON TWO, BABE". However, in the dramatic finale of season 1, Lucius was forcefully thrown off the ship by Blackbeard. It was implied that Lucius met his demise in the middle of the ocean, but fans are hopeful that Foad's return will secure a future for this beloved character.

Did Lucius actually die?

Fans of Our Flag Means Death have been questioning the death of Lucius, one of the show's most popular characters. Despite Blackbeard's declaration, fans did not see Lucius' body after he was pushed from the ship, leading to speculation that he may have somehow managed to sneak back onboard. This theory is supported by Nathan Foad's addition to the cast. Others believe Lucius will be rescued at sea, possibly by Stede himself. In any case, it is highly unlikely that the show would permanently get rid of such a beloved character. Adding more fuel to the speculation, in July 2022, David Jenkins tweeted a photo of the script cover for the first episode of season 2. Jenkins, censoring the episode's title, captioned the image with #justiceforluciusrip, directly referencing Lucius and implying his return in a significant role.

In the same Tweet, Jenkins provocatively mentioned the possibility of shaking things up: "Anyone care to have their plans disrupted? Because that's exactly what's going to happen." This statement hints at the potential for season 2 to deliver unexpected plot twists, leaving fans to ponder whether Lucius might reappear as a formidable adversary. It's entirely conceivable that Lucius would seek vengeance after Blackbeard's betrayal, yet whether he will succeed remains uncertain. Nevertheless, aficionados anxiously await the continuation of Lucius' story, hoping that season 1 was merely the beginning.

What is known about season 2’s plot?

The exact details of season 2's plot are still unknown, but it seems that heartbreak is certainly on the horizon for the show's return. In David Jenkins' tweet revealing the script for season 2, he included a heartbroken emoji in the image's caption, suggesting the upcoming emotional turmoil.

In season 2, the focus will shift towards the relationship between Stede and Blackbeard, as established in the finale of season 1. Jenkins revealed in an interview with Decider that the upcoming season will revolve around their romance, as it is the core of the show. Despite the iconic kiss between Blackbeard and Stede in season 1, Blackbeard ended up heartbroken, causing him to revert back to his destructive ways. Unaware of Blackbeard's turmoil, Stede remains determined to track down the pirate, a decision that is unlikely to end well for everyone involved. According to Max's season 2 synopsis, Stede struggles to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, but his luck changes after an encounter with the infamous Captain Blackbeard. Surprisingly, the two characters, who are vastly different, find more than friendship on the high seas - they find love. Now, they must navigate this love and stay alive amidst the dangers they face.

It’s likely that fans are in for an emotional journey – something which Our Flag Means Death does best.

When is the second season premiering?

Season 2 of the show, although lacking an official release date, was finished earlier than anticipated. Initially planned to commence filming in October 2022, production actually began in September. Unlike the first season, which was shot in Los Angeles, Taika Waititi revealed that season 2 was filmed in New Zealand. By December 2022, the cast and crew took to Instagram to announce the completion of filming. In a post by David Jenkins, he captioned the image by saying, "Annnnnd that’s a wrap on S2. See you whenever HBO Max airs this thingy," implying that the release of season 2 is not in the hands of the creator.

Unfortunately, UK fans can expect a delay in the release of the show. Although season 1 premiered on Max in March 2022, it was not released in the UK until January 2023. However, due to the show's speedy production, there is a possibility that the second installment will be released later this year. Although fans have not yet received a trailer, the wait is expected to be relatively short. Currently, season 1 of Our Flag Means Death can be viewed on Max.