Black Sails Cast & Character Guide

Black Sails includes a dynamic cast of well-established actors who bring the world of swashbuckling in the Golden Age of Piracy to life. Black Sails is a historical epic detailing the frequently bloody misadventures of a pirate crew. The show also acted as a prequel to Robert Louse Stevenson’s Treasure Island and the origin story of “Long” John Silver. While the series featured lots of cinematic action and adventure, it was the complex characters that drew in audiences throughout the four season series and left many hoping to see more from the show prior to its ultimate cancellation in 2017. Starz' epic show also acted as something of a history lesson, with real-life characters and conflicts depicted. Additionally, it ties in characters from Stevenson's book. Together, the Black Sails cast formed a great ensemble, creating vivid and complex characters. Though the Black Sails finale left the door open for other series, the Treasure Island spinoff has only existed in rumors. As such, the cast has moved on to other major projects in the years since the show's ending. While many were hopeful to see more from the cast of Black Sails in the show's universe, the show was exciting regardless. Toby Stephens As Captain Flint Date Of Birth: April 21, 1969 Active since: 1992 Actor: British actor Toby Stephens was born in London, England and got his big break playing Orsino in the 1996 Shakespeare film adaptation of Twelfth Night. The actor started out as a professional stage actor, even acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Prior to playing Captain Flint in Black Sails, he was best known for playing villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day. Since Black Sails, Stephens has continued to take on major roles. Recently, he gained attention for playing Poseidon in the cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Twelfth Night (1996) Orsino Die Another Day (2002) Gustav Graves The Machine (2013) Vincent McCarthy 13 Hours (2016) Glen "Bub" Doherty Hunter Killer (2018) Bill Bearman Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2024 - Present) Poseidon Character: Toby Stephens played Captain Flint in Black Sails. The fictional character Captain Flint is the highly revered and feared captain of The Walrus. Throughout Black Sails, Flint evolves into a fascinating and flawed character with deeper layers than expected. Luke Arnold As "Long" John Silver Date Of Birth: May 31, 1984 Active since: 2006 Actor: Luke Arnold was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and got his big break with his first film role as Tommy McAlpine in the 2009 movie Broken Hill. The actor graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at which point he began acting in Australian TV shows. Since then, he's built up his portfolio by appearing in numerous well-known TV shows including Salvation, The End, and Scrublands. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Broken Hill (2009) Tommy McAlpine Never Tear Us Apart (2014) Michael Hutchence Half Magic (2018) Freedom Salvation (2018) Bass Shepherd Scrublands (2023) Martin Scarsden Character: Luke Arnold played Long John Silver in Black Sails. Long John Silver is an opportunist sailer-turned-pirate with a strong sense of individualism. While he works in Flint's crew, the two end up in conflict with one another. Hannah New As Eleanor Guthrie Date Of Birth: May 13, 1984 Active since: 2010 Actor: Hannah New was born in London, England and got her big break playing Rosalinda Fox in The Time in Between. New is an up-and-coming star with only a few big roles to her name. Prior to joining the Black Sails cast, New's best-known role was Princess Aurora’s mother in Maleficent. Since Black Sails finished, she has appeared in many feature-length films; most notably, she played Elizabeth Crookshank in Edge of the World. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character The Time in Between (2013-2014) Rosalinda Fox Maleficent (2014) Princess Leila Edge of the World (2021) Elizabeth Crookshank Character: English actress Hannah New played Eleanor Guthrie on Black Sails, who owned a tavern on New Providence Island. The character controlled pirate goods coming in and out of Nassau. Toby Schmitz As Jack Rackham Date Of Birth: May 4, 1977 Active since: 1996 Actor: Toby Schmitz was born in Perth, Western Australia, and got his big break playing Gary in the 2004 drama Right Here Right Now. Though he has many acting credits to his name, few of Schmitz's roles are well-known to audiences. Still, his incredible talent shines through in every character he's played. His biggest role to date, besides Black Sails, is Three Blind Mice. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Right Here Right Now (2004) Gary Three Blind Mice (2008) Dean Leiberman Crownies (2011) Detective Dylan Thorne Boy Swallows Universe (2024) Tim Cotton Character: Australian actor Toby Schmitz played Jack Rackham on Black Sails. Loosely based on the real pirate known as Jack Callico, Jack Rackham is the quartermaster aboard the Ranger and eventually becomes the captain of the Colonial Dawn. Clare Paget As Anne Bonny Date Of Birth: September 12, 1988 Actor: Clare Paget was born in London, England and got her big break playing Vegh in Fast & Furious 6. Clare has very few acting credits to her name, but she's shown immense promise. Her biggest role, besides Black Sails, is that of Natalie in the horror movie House Red, which gained her a nomination for Best Actress at the British Independent Film Festival. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Fast & Furious 6 (2013) Vegh House Red (2022) Natalie Character: English actress Clare Paget played Anne Bonny on Black Sails. Anne Bonny is a cruel and ruthless pirate who works on the Ranger. Zach McGowan As Charles Vane Date Of Birth: May 5, 1980 Active since: 2004 Actor: Zach McGowan was born in New York City, New York and got his big break playing Jody Silverman in Shameless. McGowan started acting on stage, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue onscreen acting. Black Sails is McGowan's biggest role to date. Following his exit in season 3, American actor McGowan played recurring roles in season 4 of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and season 9 of The Walking Dead. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Dracula Untold (2014) Shkelgim Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2017-2018) Anton Ivanov The Walking Dead (2018) Justin The 100 (2016-2020) Prince Roan Character: In Black Sails, Zach McGowan plays Charles Vane. Zach McGowan’s character is a fictionalization of the famous pirate Charles Vane. He is noble but feared, making him vastly different from his real-life counterpart. He also has a strong relationship with Blackbeard throughout Black Sails. Jessica Parker Kennedy As Max Date Of Birth: October 3, 1984 Active since: 2006 Actor: Jessica Parker Kennedy was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and got her big break with her first acting role, playing Lucy the Elf in the Christmas movie Santa Baby. Since her main role as Max on Black Sails, Canadian actress Jessica Parker Kennedy has appeared in acclaimed Netflix horror Cam played Nora West-Allen on The Flash. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Santa Baby (2006) Lucy the Elf Valemont (2009) Beatrice The Secret Circle (2011-2012) Melissa Glaser The Flash (2018-2023) Nora West-Allen/XS Character: Throughout Black Sails, Jessica Parker Kennedy plays the fictional character Max. Max is a sex worker in Nassau who is the lover of Eleanor, Annee, and Georgia. She uses her intelligence to gain power. Tom Hopper As Dickon Tarly Date Of Birth: January 28, 1985 Active since: 2007 Actor: Tom Hopper was born in Leicestershire, England and got his big break playing Sir Percival in Merlin. Though the actor is early in his career, he's taken on many supporting or leading TV. After finishing his run as Billy Bones in Black Sails, English actor Tom Hopper acted in Game Of Thrones season 7 and played Luther Hargreeves in the cast of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Merlin (2010-2012) Sir Percival Game of Thrones (2017) Dickon Tarly I Feel Pretty (2018) Grant Leclair The Umbrella Academy (2019-2024) Luther Hargreeves Character: In Black Sails, Tom Hopper plays Billy Bones, the highly ethical and rule-bound first mate aboard The Walrus. This character is entirely fictional and created by Robert Louis Stevenson. Ray Stevenson As Blackbeard Date Of Birth: May 25, 1964; Date Of Death: May 21, 2023 Active from 1994 to 2023 Actor: The late Ray Stevenson was born in Lisburn, North Ireland Northern and got his big break playing Steve Dickson in Band of Gold. He had a prolific career outside of Blackbeard on Black Sails. Prior to his death in 2023, the Northern Irish star acted in some of the biggest franchises, including Star Wars and Marvel. His last role prior to passing away was Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Title Character Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009) Murlaugh Kill the Irishman (2011) Danny Greene Thor (2011) Volstagg The Three Musketeers (2011) Porthos Ahsoka (2023) Baylan Skoll Character: Throughout Black Sails, Ray Stevenson played Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard. Like his real-life counterpart, Stevenson's Blackbeard was a fearsome pirate captain. However, Black Sails fictionalizes his relationship with Charles Vane. Release Date 2014 - 2017-00-00 Network Starz Showrunner Jonathan E. Steinberg Cast Toby Stephens Captain James Flint Directors Alik Sakharov, Steve Boyum, Lukas Ettlin, Stefan Schwartz, Clark Johnson, Marc Munden, Neil Marshall, Sam Miller, T.J. Scott, Michael Nankin, Rob Bailey, Roel Reiné, Uta Briesewitz Writers Dan Shotz, Lisa Schultz Boyd, Heather Bellson, Doris Egan, Michael Angeli, Michael S. Chernuchin, Peter Ocko, Josh Rothenberger Seasons 4 Streaming Service(s)