Our Flag Means Death runs aground as queer pirate comedy Max show cancelled after 2 seasons

In a transfer so dastardly you’d count on Blackbeard himself to be behind it, Max has introduced the abrupt finish of Our Flag Means Loss of life after simply two seasons. 

As confirmed by its creator David Jenkins on Instagram, Our Flag Means Loss of life will not sail the streaming seas after it was unceremoniously cancelled. Nevertheless, there does not look like any unhealthy blood between Jenkins and Max’s government crew, with the queer pirate rom-com collection’ showrunner writing: “It introduced them no pleasure to see this journey come to a untimely finish. Casey Bloys, Sarah Aubrey, Suzanna Makkos, Billy Wee, and David Ruby have been unbelievable champions of this present. They allowed us to make one thing authentically bizarre and heartfelt, cheering us on all the manner.”

In a press release offered to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for one of many world’s finest streaming providers added: “Whereas Max is not going to be transferring ahead with a 3rd season of Our Flag Means Loss of life, we’re so pleased with the joyous, hilarious, and heartfelt tales that creator David Jenkins, Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby, Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, Antoine Douaihy, and all the excellent solid and crew delivered to life. We additionally thank the devoted followers who embraced these tales and constructed a beautiful, inclusive group surrounding the present.”

Our Flag Means Loss of life is a uncommon TV comedy gem that is genuinely humorous with out punching down – and, for queer viewers, it is even rarer due to its inclusivity and genuinely amusing jokes about LGBT-plus characters and relationships. It was beloved by all types of TV followers, although – certainly, it discovered a spot on our greatest Max exhibits listing and earned important acclaim from all who noticed it, as confirmed by its 94% critics and 94% audiences scores on evaluate aggregation web site Rotten Tomatoes. Clearly, it is a collection we’ll *ahem* treasure, even when that is the tip of its voyage.

Who fired a cannonball via Our Flag Means Loss of life’s hull?

We’re uncertain. Primarily based on my social feeds yesterday (January 9), which had been shortly stuffed with sad viewers, many followers had been heartbroken by the information and prompt exhibits with genuine queer characters, illustration and/or themes had an unlucky tendency to be cancelled even after they did properly. As one particular person I comply with put it, expressing a viewpoint many different posters appeared to share, “we’d like extra homosexual pirates, not much less!”

That mentioned, it is not clear this was a call made fully in isolation by Max. Jenkins actually supposed to proceed, telling Polygon in October 2023: “I believe three [seasons] can be good. I believe threes are good typically. We’re taking a look at three levels of a relationship – coming collectively, realizing you are in love, then determining what you need to do to maintain that love, and transfer previous it.”

Nevertheless, there have been reviews that Waititi, who starred in and executively produced Our Flag Means Loss of life, did not need to make a 3rd season. Final November, he instructed Consequence.internet that he felt that the core story, plus the connection between Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, had come to their “pure finish” in season 2, which might make a 3rd season redundant in his eyes. If Waititi was planning to leap ship, Max might have determined that elevating the sails with out the present’s most recognisable star wasn’t definitely worth the danger.

Regardless of the cause, it is a disgrace: Our Flag Means Loss of life was an excellent present and its cancelation has positively left a cannonball-shaped gap in streaming comedy. It was, as Jenkins says, “some bizarre and delightful s**t.”

Our Flag Means Loss of life is offered to stream on Max (US), Sky Atlantic (UK), and Binge/Foxtel (Australia) now.

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