Unraveling the Legends: Mary Read & Anne Bonny's True Story in Our Flag Means Death Season 2

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Our Flag Means Death season 2, episode 4.

Summary

Season 2 of Our Flag Means Death introduces the legendary female pirates, Mary Read and Anne Bonny, shedding light on their historic ties to Ed Teach and their remarkable personal narratives. The series also offers LGBTQ+ inclusion by exploring the romantic relationship and cross-dressing adventures of Mary Read and Anne Bonny throughout their pirating exploits.

In Our Flag Means Death season 2, viewers are introduced to the real-life women pirates Mary Read and Anne Bonny. Season 1 of the swashbuckling period rom-com focuses on Calico Jack, an old friend of Blackbeard, whereas the second season aims to highlight various pirates from Ed's past, as well as well-known historical figures like Zheng Yi Sao, the pirate queen in Our Flag Means Death.

Mary Read & Anne Bonny Are Blackbeard’s Old Friends In Our Flag Means Death Season 2

Several characters in Our Flag Means Death are actually based on real people. While some, like Blackbeard (also known as Ed Teach), are directly taken from history, others draw inspiration from historical figures. For instance, the character of Jim, a non-binary pirate who belongs to the Revenge's crew, is partially influenced by the stories of Mary Read and Anne Bonny. During their early days as pirates, Read and Bonny disguised themselves as men. In the show's second season, Bonny and Read are finally introduced as longtime friends of Ed Teach.

The True Story Of Pirate Mary Read (& How Our Flag Means Death's Character Compares)

In one of the major turning points of the fourth episode of Season 2 in Our Flag Means Death, the Revenge crew collectively decides to exile Ed from the ship due to his past misdeeds. Left stranded on a deserted island, Ed ventures through the vast jungle and unexpectedly crosses paths with Mary Read. She extends her invitation for Ed to accompany her back to her dwelling. However, upon their arrival, they stumble upon a surprising scene – Anne Bonny, Read's partner, engaged in conversation with Stede, Ed's former lover. Despite the evident tension between Ed and Stede, Bonny and Read extend generous hospitality and invite the pair to join them for a dinner gathering.

Our Flag Means Death introduces Mary Read and Anne Bonny, adding to the LGBTQ+ representation inspired by real-life events. While limited information is available about the personal lives of these pirates, it is believed that they became romantically involved after meeting at sea. Mary Read is depicted in the series wearing traditionally masculine attire, which not only proves practical for piracy but also aligns with historical accuracy. Like Bonny, Read also adopted male clothing during her initial days of plundering the high seas.

While Read and Bonny are portrayed as a couple in the show, certain liberties have been taken. Firstly, it is important to note that both characters are depicted as being alive, whereas in reality, Read passed away shortly after escaping an execution, as stated by Britannica. However, in the show, the couple has decided to leave their piratical lifestyle behind and embrace a seemingly more peaceful existence. In this new chapter, Read takes on the role of the provider by hunting for their meals, while Bonny runs an antique shop. Interestingly, Read explains that after being together for such a long time, they have discovered that injecting "fun and games" into their relationship keeps things intriguing. For these former pirates, this means engaging in knife-play, playfully poisoning each other, and even setting their mundane dwelling ablaze as a unique expression of their love.

Anne Bonny's Real Pirate History & Our Flag Means Death Character Comparison

Similar to Mary Read, Anne Bonny is among the rare female pirates documented in history. The authentic Irish pirate relocated to Nassau with her then-spouse, a sailor by profession, and began socializing with pirates at taverns. After a chance encounter with Calico Jack, Bonny abandoned her first husband to join her new lover's pirate crew (via Britannica). To avoid complications aboard Calico Jack's ship, Bonny disguised herself as a man. Before long, she crossed paths with Read, another member of Calico Jack's crew who had also presented herself as a man in order to thrive in the world of piracy.

Upon discovering their shared attraction, the women divulged their true selves, prompting historians to ponder their romantic entanglement as documented in A General History of Pirates. Following numerous escapades, Jack, Read, and Bonny found themselves captured and condemned to death; however, both women eluded execution due to their pregnancies. With Anne Bonny's ultimate destiny uncertain, Our Flag Means Death offered ample space to imagine her life alongside Read—a pirate known for her affinity for antiques and arson.