Black Sails Cast & Character Guide

Summary

• The dynamic cast of Black Sails brings the Golden Age of Piracy to life with cinematic action and complex characters.
• The show is a history lesson with real-life characters, acting as a prequel to Treasure Island and introducing “Long” John Silver.
• Despite rumors of a Treasure Island spinoff, the talented Black Sails cast has moved on to other major projects post-finale.

Black Sails includes a dynamic cast of well-established actors who bring the world of swashbuckling in the Golden Age of Piracy to life. Black Sails is a historical epic detailing the frequently bloody misadventures of a pirate crew. The show also acted as a prequel to Robert Louse Stevenson’s Treasure Island and the origin story of “Long” John Silver. While the series featured lots of cinematic action and adventure, it was the complex characters that drew in audiences.

Starz’ epic show also acted as something of a history lesson, with real-life characters and conflicts depicted. Additionally, it ties in fictional characters from Stevenson’s book. Together, the Black Sails cast formed a great ensemble, creating vivid and complex characters. Though the Black Sails finale left the door open for other series, the Treasure Island spinoff has only existed in rumors. As such, the cast has moved on to other major projects in the years since the show’s ending.

Toby Stephens As Captain Flint

Date Of Birth: April 21, 1969

Actor: British actor Toby Stephens was born in London, England and got his big break playing Orsino in the 1996 Shakespeare film adaptation of Twelfth Night. The actor started out as a professional stage actor, even acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Prior to playing Captain Flint in Black Sails, he was best known for playing villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day. Since Black Sails, Stephens has continued to take on major roles. Recently, he gained attention for playing Poseidon in the cast of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Toby Stephens played Captain Flint in Black Sails. The fictional character Captain Flint is the highly revered and feared captain of The Walrus. Throughout Black Sails, Flint evolves into a fascinating and flawed character with deeper layers than expected.

Luke Arnold As “Long” John Silver

Date Of Birth: May 31, 1984

Actor: Luke Arnold was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and got his big break with his first film role as Tommy McAlpine in the 2009 movie Broken Hill. The actor graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at which point he began acting in Australian TV shows. Since then, he’s built up his portfolio by appearing in numerous well-known TV shows including Salvation, The End, and Scrublands.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Luke Arnold played Long John Silver in Black Sails. Long John Silver is an opportunist sailer-turned-pirate with a strong sense of individualism. While he works in Flint’s crew, the two end up in conflict with one another.

Hannah New As Eleanor Guthrie

Date Of Birth: May 13, 1984

Actor: Hannah New was born in London, England and got her big break playing Rosalinda Fox in The Time in Between. New is an up-and-coming star with only a few big roles to her name. Prior to joining the Black Sails cast, New’s best-known role was Princess Aurora’s mother in Maleficent. Since Black Sails finished, she has appeared in many feature-length films; most notably, she played Elizabeth Crookshank in Edge of the World.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: English actress Hannah New played Eleanor Guthrie on Black Sails, who owned a tavern on New Providence Island. The character controlled pirate goods coming in and out of Nassau.

Toby Schmitz As Jack Rackham

Date Of Birth: May 4, 1977

Actor: Toby Schmitz was born in Perth, Western Australia, and got his big break playing Gary in the 2004 drama Right Here Right Now. Though he has many acting credits to his name, few of Schmitz’s roles are well-known to audiences. Still, his incredible talent shines through in every character he’s played. His biggest role to date, besides Black Sails, is Three Blind Mice.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Australian actor Toby Schmitz played Jack Rackham on Black Sails. Loosely based on the real pirate known as Jack Callico, Jack Rackham is the quartermaster aboard the Ranger and eventually becomes the captain of the Colonial Dawn.

Clare Paget As Anne Bonny

Date Of Birth: September 12, 1988

Actor: Clare Paget was born in London, England and got her big break playing Vegh in Fast & Furious 6. Clare has very few acting credits to her name, but she’s shown immense promise. Her biggest role, besides Black Sails, is that of Natalie in the horror movie House Red, which gained her a nomination for Best Actress at the British Independent Film Festival.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: English actress Clare Paget played Anne Bonny on Black Sails. Anne Bonny is a cruel and ruthless pirate who works on the Ranger.

Zach McGowan As Charles Vane

Date Of Birth: May 5, 1980

Actor: Zach McGowan was born in New York City, New York and got his big break playing Jody Silverman in Shameless. McGowan started acting on stage, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue onscreen acting. Black Sails is McGowan’s biggest role to date. Following his exit in season 3, American actor McGowan played recurring roles in season 4 of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and season 9 of The Walking Dead.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: In Black Sails, Zach McGowan plays Charles Vane. Zach McGowan’s character is a fictionalization of the famous pirate Charles Vane. He is noble but feared, making him vastly different from his real-life counterpart. He also has a strong relationship with Blackbeard throughout Black Sails.

Jessica Parker Kennedy As Max

Date Of Birth: October 3, 1984

Actor: Jessica Parker Kennedy was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and got her big break with her first acting role, playing Lucy the Elf in the Christmas movie Santa Baby. Since her main role as Max on Black Sails, Canadian actress Jessica Parker Kennedy has appeared in acclaimed Netflix horror Cam played Nora West-Allen on The Flash.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: Throughout Black Sails, Jessica Parker Kennedy plays the fictional character Max. Max is a sex worker in Nassau who is the lover of Eleanor, Annee, and Georgia. She uses her intelligence to gain power.

Tom Hopper As Dickon Tarly

Date Of Birth: January 28, 1985

Actor: Tom Hopper was born in Leicestershire, England and got his big break playing Sir Percival in Merlin. Though the actor is early in his career, he’s taken on many supporting or leading TV. After finishing his run as Billy Bones in Black Sails, English actor Tom Hopper acted in Game Of Thrones season 7 and played Luther Hargreeves in the cast of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: In Black Sails, Tom Hopper plays Billy Bones, the highly ethical and rule-bound first mate aboard The Walrus. This character is entirely fictional and created by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Ray Stevenson As Blackbeard

Date Of Birth: May 25, 1964; Date Of Death: May 21, 2023

Actor: The late Ray Stevenson was born in Lisburn, North Ireland Northern and got his big break playing Steve Dickson in Band of Gold. He had a prolific career outside of Blackbeard on Black Sails. Prior to his death in 2023, the Northern Irish star acted in some of the biggest franchises, including Star Wars and Marvel. His last role prior to passing away was Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka.

Character: Throughout Black Sails, Ray Stevenson played Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard. Like his real-life counterpart, Stevenson’s Blackbeard was a fearsome pirate captain. However, Black Sails fictionalizes his relationship with Charles Vane.