Television Series
Our Flag Means Death
2022–2024
Filmed In
Auckland · Northland
Towns & Areas
Kumeu Film Studios · Piha and Bethells Beach, west Auckland · Howick Historical Village · Bay of Islands, Northland
The Story
A hilarious, heartwarming, and wonderfully queer pirate comedy loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet, an 18th-century aristocrat who abandons his wealthy life to become the "Gentleman Pirate," eventually crossing paths with the infamous Blackbeard.
The Stars
Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi. This ensemble anchors a show built partly around purpose-built water tanks constructed specifically for its seafaring sequences.
Behind the Lens
Created by David Jenkins, with Taika Waititi directing the pilot and executive producing. Jenkins created the series drawing loosely on the real, sparsely documented life of Stede Bonnet.
Why NZ?
For its spectacular second season, the production packed up its sails and moved directly to Auckland. The dynamic coastal landscapes, combined with the state-of-the-art water tanks at Kumeu Film Studios, provided the perfect canvas for the show's chaotic, romantic seafaring adventures. Purpose-built water tanks let the production control tide, weather, and lighting in ways an open ocean shoot never could. The production's purpose-built tanks let the crew shoot pirate-ship sequences on their own schedule, regardless of the weather outside.
On Set
Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi have a real friendship going back decades before this show, and it shows on screen — Darby has joked that their approach to shared scenes is "we don't prepare… literally nothing." The approach gave the production far more creative control than an open-water shoot ever could.
Legacy
Loosely inspired by the real historical figure Stede Bonnet, the show developed a passionate fan following during its two-season run.
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