'Criminally underrated' Netflix series is being labeled 'better than Game of Thrones'
Topics: Entertainment, Netflix, Game of Thrones, Film and TV, History
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Starz
Topics: Entertainment, Netflix, Game of Thrones, Film and TV, History
Netflix subscribers are obsessed with a drama series which they say has a more satisfying ending than Game of Thrones.
The streaming service is constantly updating its catalogue, and amid the noise of new Netflix releases, it’s no surprise that some underrated gems get lost and go unnoticed.
This historical drama first aired between 2014 to 2017 on Starz before joining Netflix in April 2024.
With it joining a decade after its debut, it's understandable the TV series might have slipped under your radar.
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The four-season series was created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine and is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island.
The story transports us back to the early 1700s, on New Providence Island in the Bahamas.
It centers on the almighty Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), who is fighting to protect the pirate world from encroaching British civilization.
He is obsessed with securing the Urca de Lima, a Spanish treasure galleon rumored to be worth a hefty buck.
He believes seizing this ship could secure a future for Nassau, the pirate stronghold on New Providence Island, as a self-governed territory free from British rule.
At the same time, Flint clashes with other pirate captains, including Charles Vane (Zach McGowan), while forming an alliance with ambitious merchant Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New), who controls Nassau's black market trade.
The arrival of John Silver (Luke Arnold), a smart cook who unknowingly holds vital information, stirs the drama even more.
The series we're talking about is called Black Sails, and you can watch its trailer below:
Black Sails has received glowing praise for fans across social media, as well as on review site Rotten Tomatoes.
While many admit the first series takes a while to get going, they reckon the show overall is 'better' than HBO hit Game of Thrones.
Taking to Reddit, one fan described the Black Sails as 'pirate GOT'.
"Pirate GOT but better," one fan corrected, as a second swooped in: "It's a pirate show SUPERIOR to Game of Thrones!"
"Yes, with the caveat that Black Sails got better with each season while GoT [didn't]," a third agreed, as a fourth weighed in: "You can also describe it as the best show ever written and directed."
Over on Twitter, one fan urged: "Watch this show immediately," adding: "Everything society gave to Game of Thrones should have been given to Black Sails. 4 seasons of heart wrenching character writing, wonderful period-piece visuals, well directed action, and incredible acting."
Meanwhile, the drama racked up a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83 percent across all four of its seasons.
One viewer hailed it a 'criminally underrated show', as another penned: "Absolute gem, one of my all-time favorite shows. Can't believe its not more known/popular."
"Top fantasy TV series of all time!" someone else gushed, adding: "Written like a novel, chapters and characters unfold over time. "Master class in arcs and slow reveals..."
All four seasons of Black Sails are streaming now on Netflix.