Sad news for “Our Flag Means Death” fans: it looks like the ex-Max series won’t find a new home after being canceled by the streamer in January. Deadline reports that series creator David Jenkins confirmed the show’s fate on Instagram, stating that despite many meetings with other outlets, its future is now dead in the water.
“I can officially confirm that we’ve reached the end of the road,” Jenkins wrote. “At least as far as this sweet show is concerned. After many complimentary meetings, conversations, etc it seems there is no alternate home for our crew. Thank you to all of you who sent us out with tremendous love and care. Your campaign was noticed across the industry. But more importantly it made all of us who worked on this show better able to deal with the loss.”
Jenkins continued: “To you wonderful fans: thank you. You are lovely and earnest. Those kinds of things feel in short supply at times. But they aren’t. A love like ours can’t disappear in an instant. When we see each other off in mystic, say hello. We won’t say goodbye, because we’re not leaving. We’re just taking a breather until next time we can share something together 💜🦄🏴☠️ #ourflagmeansdeath”
“Our Flag Means Death” was an early hit for Max and culled quite the devoted fanbase over its two seasons. Rhys Darby stars as real-life 18th-century wannabe pirate Stede Bonnet, who takes to the high seas for grand adventure. But those same adventures have him cross paths with the infamous pirate Blackbeard (Taika Waititi), as the two reluctantly join forces, become friends, and unexpectedly fall in love. Obviously, the show is a very loose, fictitious account of Bonnet and Blackbeard’s true run-ins, but one that won over audiences with ease.
The comedy also featured quite the supporting cast, including Samson Kayo, Vico Ortiz, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Matthew Maher, Kristian Nairn, Con O’Neill, David Fane, Samba Schutte, Nat Faxon, and Leslie Jones. But despite high critical marks for Season 2, the future of “Our Flag Means Death” was by no means guaranteed. Darby couldn’t confirm anything about the show’s future when The Playlist interviewed him last December, saying simply, “No, I don’t,” when asked about a potential Season 3. Now, the show and creator Jenkins must accept a fate that befalls so many beloved series in the streaming era, but also one befitting of a pirate: sweet but short.