Black Sails [S1]: The Darkhorse among the New TV-Shows In 2014

Black Sails [S1]: The Darkhorse among the New TV-Shows In 2014

Black Sails
The upcoming Starz-original series Black Sails hasn’t even debuted yet, but creators Jon Steinberg and Robert Levine have already scored a second season. Many have barely –if ever – heard of the drama, but it was such a hit at the San Diego Comic-Con in July, Starz immediately renewed the show. What’s all the buzz about?

Executive produced by Michael Bay, Black Sails tells the story of Capt. Flint and his crew – including a young John Silver, played by Luke Arnold– 20 years before the action in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island.” According to the series’ official website, in 1719 the former British colony New Providence Island is under the control of pirates, including the formidable Capt. Flint, played by Toby Stephens. But when the British Navy returns to New Providence Island, determined to destroy Flint and his crew, the pirate captain joins forces with Eleanor Guthrie, daughter of a local smuggler and played by Hannah New.

Over the course of the series, Flint’s fight to reclaim his home and ensure the survival of his crew will expose a more sensitive pirate, one who is “driven by deep, complicated, even romantic motives.” Meanwhile, he must fight rival captains, Eleanor’s father and even young Silver, a newly-recruited sailor who is always undermining his captain.

The star of “Black Sails” is Toby Stephens as Flint, the Captain of the Walrus and the most-feared pirate in the West Indies. Stephens, trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, has appeared in several television programs, including the BBC’s Robin Hood, The Queen’s Sister, Waking the Dead and Poirot, as well as films such as Die Another Day and The Great Gatsby. His claim to fame, however, has come from his roles on stage in productions at London’s West End as well as Broadway.

Hannah New plays the beautiful Eleanor Guthrie, daughter of the richest smuggler in the Bahamas. In fact, he leaves Eleanor to deal with the pirates as she operates the Nassau tavern she owns. New has performed since the age of 4 when she insisted she attend ballet school. Following her first American role as a lead in “Shelter,” New scored the role of “Leila” in the upcoming Walt Disney picture “Maleficent,” starring Angelina Jolie.

The legendary John Silver is played by Luke Arnold. The Australian actor is considered a rising star thanks to several starring roles on Australian television. Arnold portrays the young Silver as a born opportunist who resents authority, which of course instigates conflict with his captain.

Although the first season of Black Sails –premiering Jan. 25 – includes a mere eight episodes, any series good enough to land an encore before its premiere episode is bound to be entertainment worth of a Starz subscription.

'Black Sails': See the awesome opening credits with theme from 'Walking Dead' composer -- EXCLUSIVE


Black-Sails.jpg
Starz’ upcoming pirate drama Black Sails has a must-see opening credits sequence with a rousing theme from famed Battlestar Galactica and Walking Dead composer Bear McCreary. Gorgeous, cool, and thematically on target, these credits are like a haunting dream you might have after touring a sculpture museum and hitting Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride on the same day. And that theme! Arguably McCreary’s best, and that’s saying quite a bit (fun fact: the instrument he’s playing is called a hurdy gurdy). The last opening sequence that got us this excited was for HBO’s Game of Thrones, which won the 2011 Emmy for best credits (yes, there is such a thing; the Academy calls it “main title design”). Check out the opening below. Play it full screen, volume up. The sequence starts slow and subtle … then gets interesting. Black Sails premieres Jan. 25 on Starz.


Black Sails - Episode 1.01 - Episode 1.05 - Titles and Synopsis

Episode 1.01 - I
Pirate Capt. Flint faces a mutiny from his own crew; John Silver hides something of great value; Eleanor keeps order on New Providence as the Royal Navy grows stronger.

Episode 1.02 - II
Flint reveals a thief on his crew; Silver and Max hide in a brothel; Eleanor faces a difficult choice.

Episode 1.03 - III
Flint and Gates seek additional help in their search for the Urca d'Lima; Silver and Billy tackle a morale problem; Eleanor is impressed by Vane; Gates is promoted.

Episode 1.04 - IV
The Walrus crew suffers a disastrous undertaking; Flint receives a warning about Billy; Eleanor turns to her father for help; Vane is visited by a figure from his past.

Episode 1.05 - V
Flint and the Walrus crew play a chess match; Richard forces Eleanor's hand; Rackham makes a career change; Bonny confesses.


You have read this article Starz' Black Sails with the title Black Sails [S1]: The Darkhorse among the New TV-Shows In 2014. You can bookmark this page URL https://duk78.blogspot.com/2013/12/black-sails-s1-darkhorse-among-new-tv.html. Thanks!