Cancel your weekend plans immediately, because a critically acclaimed pirate drama that fans describe as having "aged like a fine wine" is available to stream for free on ITVX. This action-packed series, which first aired in 2014, has been dubbed "one of the most underrated shows ever" by enthusiastic viewers who continue to rave about its gripping narrative and high production values.
A Prequel to Treasure Island
Black Sails, which produced four incredible seasons before concluding in 2017, serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island. Set in 1715, the drama follows Captain Flint, portrayed by Toby Stephens, alongside Hannah New as Eleanor Guthrie and Luke Arnold as a young John Silver. The plot centers on their desperate fight for the survival of Nassau, a pirate-run Bahamian colony, against formidable threats from the British, Spanish, and rival pirate factions.
Fan Acclaim and Critical Praise
In 2023, viewers boldly claimed that Black Sails was "better than Game of Thrones" after all episodes became available on Netflix. Now, with its new home on ITVX, the show continues to garner widespread admiration. On IMDb, where it holds an impressive 8.2 out of 10 rating, fans have left glowing reviews. Amir commented, "It is absolutely amazing. The actors are all great, the set design and overall world is beautiful, and the action scenes are intense. This show grips you, and you want to continue watching; it's honestly hard to stop."
Rob added, "Black Sails is absolutely one of the most underrated shows ever. I binged the entire series in a week because it was so good. Everything about this show is damn near perfect—the writing, acting, cinematography, production value, costumes, all of it! This is by far the best series I've ever seen about pirates and definitely a show for adults. I was hooked from the very first episode through to the very last. Every season is fantastic."
A Masterclass in Pirate Storytelling
Other fans have echoed this sentiment, with Hakihiko dubbing it "an adventurous masterclass in pirate drama" and Alexander noting that "like a fine wine, it gets better with age." JC Hopkins claimed it is "one of the best shows of the last decade," while Fung declared, "It's impossible to overrate this series." Running for 38 episodes, the cast also includes notable actors such as Tom Hopper from The Umbrella Academy, Jessica Parker Kennedy, and Zach McGowan, further enhancing its appeal.
Streaming Availability and Cultural Impact
Black Sails is currently available to stream on ITVX, offering viewers a chance to dive into this gritty period drama. This comes amid a trend of highly praised series finding new audiences on streaming platforms, similar to how Netflix recently released a "dangerously sexy" drama starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall, which viewers have hailed as "much darker than expected." For those seeking a compelling, adult-oriented pirate saga, Black Sails stands out as a must-watch, celebrated for its enduring quality and immersive storytelling.
