The pirates of Black Sails hit New York City Comic Con today and sat down with Hypable to tell us all about what to expect in season 2!
Today, Starz announced that their hit show Black Sails was renewed for season 3. We also got to sit down with the cast and Executive Producers to discuss what is coming up in the second season premiering January 24 in 2015.
On Black Sails season 1, Max (played by Jessica Parker Kennedy) and John Silver (played by Luke Arnold) teamed up together early on. But their carefully laid plans didn’t work out quite so well. The two actors discussed their research into their roles.
Arnold says that he was surprised by what some of his research turned up, “For me it was actually finding out that so many of them were kind of commissioned by the English to begin with. They were privateers and it was their job to go out to Spanish ships and come back and share their money with the monarchy.”
Adding that, “It really redefines the characters as not a bunch of mongrels but like navy people really.”
Kennedy on the other hand joked that she couldn’t really do any research into playing a whore. But says that she still enjoyed learning more about pirates, “I loved finding out the little facts about pirates you know this eye patch myth.”
Kennedy also teased that although Max is really strong she may be out for revenge in season 2, “She’s really strong and I think that shows through season 1 because all of the horrible things that are happening to her. She kind of has a fire in her eyes that pushes her forward and drive, a kind of independence. I think theres a part of her that somewhat wants revenge but she’s going to do it in a way – a really smart – slow – sneaky – scary way.”
When we asked the pair if their characters would be teaming up in season 2, they hesitated to answer. Arnold hinted, “Our paths do cross again. I know for us it was really exciting and we probably didn’t realize how special it was until it happened.”
“It was only at rehearsals that we realized it was big. Because I threw her in a heap of shit – excuse my language,” He laughed. “And kind of left but I think they both understand. We didn’t know each other when the plan didn’t go so well. She got the bad end of the stick and so it kind of is a complex relationship when they finally do see each other again.”
Kennedy added that it was like two completely different characters coming together from when they met in season 1, “Silver has come so far. Gone through such a huge arc and journey and so has Max. They were different people talking to each other when they finally do. It felt completely different but like old times.”
Executive Producer Jonathan E. Steinberg teased that on Black Sails season 2 fans will get to see a deeper understanding of the world that the pirates are living in. “We wanted to really dig into them and kind of understand how they see themselves,” He says. “It’s a weird moment in history where there are these people who are fully outside of civilization but still rooted in it. That does something to you. It forces you to ask questions I think that are relevant, what am I and how do I fit in?”
Hannah New, who plays Eleanor, also touched on fans getting more details. “I wouldn’t say it’s an easy show, it’s a show that demands a lot from the audience. It demands a lot of understanding and context. So it was really exciting to just kind of go back and create more depth in season 2. It’s interesting to see just how dark it has to get.”
Toby Stephens also says that fans will get more of his character’s, Captain Flint, backstory. “In the second season you get this whole backstory, 15 years prior and you find out what has been driving him,” Stephens explains. “But then even that kicks up even more questions. It sort of answers things but he still remains quite enigmatic.”
Fans saw Max and Eleanor go through an impossible situation that put them both in danger. It was one of Eleanor’s biggest decisions to stand by Flint instead of Max that lead them to break apart. Ultimately it also caused Max to have to struggle to keep her life and body safe.
But will they every repair their relationship? New isn’t sure, “They have to interact, the island is so close knit. If you think about the terms of the tavern to the brothel, they can see each other the whole time. Whether that relationship is salvageable has to be seen but I think they have such a strong connection. There are things that they learn together that will always stick with them.”
Zach McGowan touched on Captain Vane’s desire to get back out to sea. “Going into season 2, we’ve still never seen Vane being a pirate. You saw Vane doing what you do when you’re not out hunting. So I think that that’s something to look for in season 2 regardless. He’s not a very stagnant person so a lot continues to go on.”
Meanwhile, Toby Schmitz teases that Vane’s right hand man, Jack Rackham, will still be having trouble with the ladies. “His achilles heel is the female, like he’s on a feared pirate ship but when it comes to women he can’t quite wrap his head around them,” says Schmitz. “And I think it’s quite obvious that he has a complete mental attachment to Anne and that’s not going anywhere.”
Starz has made a video of the Black Sails New York Comic Con panel available for those fans who couldn’t make it:
