Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death is an American period romantic comedy television series created by David Jenkins. Set in 1717 during the Golden Age of Piracy, the series follows the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and his crew aboard the Revenge as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates and cross paths with famed pirate captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi).

The first season premiered March 2022 on HBO Max, with a second season that premiered October 2023 on the renamed Max streaming service. In a controversial move, the series was canceled in January 2024 after two seasons.

Despite a subdued launch, the series gradually gained word-of-mouth momentum and became a sleeper hit with a cult following. Its unexpected growth in popularity has been compared to the surprise success of Ted Lasso. Since its release, the series has been widely regarded as one of the best and most beloved examples of LGBTQ+ media.

Our Flag Means Death garnered critical acclaim, including praise for its LGBTQ+ representation. Critics consider the series to be one of the best sitcoms of the 2020s. The series won an Art Directors Guild Award, a Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award, an Australian Production Design Guild Award, a New Zealand Television Award, and was named one of the top ten TV series that represent the best in humanity by the Greater Good Science Center. The series also earned Peabody Award, Nebula Award, Hollywood Critics Association Award, Dorian TV Award, and GLAAD Media Award nominations.