Original Plan for OFMD's Gentlebeard Was Way More Tragic
The show's creator has disclosed their original intentions as to how the romance was supposed to end.
While there was nothing pretty about piracy in real life, Hollywood has managed to create a romantic image of these blackguards that has captured our imagination for decades. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise probably has a lot to do with this. However, there seem to be few shows that would have this theme. HBO Max's Our Flag Means Death is perhaps the best known.
Released in 2022, the period romcom series stunned audiences with its unorthodox storytelling, between-the-lines humor, and heartfelt love story between two pirates. Centered around fictionalized versions of Stede Bonnet and Ed Teach, aka Blackbeard, Our Flag Means Death chronicles their romance as they sail the seven seas. And while the two characters had to part ways at the end of Season 1, things weren't as heartbreaking as they could have been.
Unrequited Love
Produced by HBO, Our Flag Means Death was pitched to the network by David Jenkins, who actually knew little about the direction he wanted to take the story. So while it's a period piece, it's not historically accurate, a decision Jenkins made while writing OFMD.
The same was true for the love arc of the main characters. While the showrunner knew there would be romance, he anticipated a more tragic ending for Bonnet and Blackbeard's relationship.
'It was going to be about Stede learning what love is, and Ed making himself vulnerable and getting burned,' Jenkins said in an interview.
Actors' Electrifying Performance
According to David, Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, who portray Bonnet and Blackbeard, respectively, struck a magical chord in their first scene together. Their chemistry was palpable. And the dynamic they established between their characters was the only reason OFMD's writers opted to change their love arc.
'Rhys plays things really honestly. But watching them both decide to do that on that scene and both understand what it was, I thought, "Oh, this is really exciting!" By the time we got to the end of the first season, it was like, hell yeah, I want to see where this romance goes,' Jenkins revealed.
At the moment, season 2 of Our Flag Means Death is out on Max, with the first three episodes available for streaming. Episode 4 is scheduled for October 12th.
Source: Inverse.