Netflix Is Home To A 4-Part Gritty Historical Drama Better Than Both Game Of Thrones & Outlander

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Even though the final season of Game of Thrones was disappointing, fans likely still appreciate the show for its grand scale, complex politics, stunning visuals, and how much of a cultural moment it became. However, over time, viewers are increasingly noticing problems that existed throughout the series.

Game of Thrones revolutionized television, leading to bigger and more ambitious shows that tried to capture its fantasy and mature themes. However, one series actually came before this trend, was even better in many ways, and didn’t receive nearly as much attention.

Black Sails Is A Hugely Underrated Historical Drama From The Game Of Thrones Era

When Game of Thrones was hugely popular in 2014, Starz launched two new shows: Outlander and Black Sails. Outlander proved more successful and will end in 2026, while Black Sails finished its run in 2017. Black Sails tells the story of Captain Flint (played by Toby Stephens) and his crew, exploring the events leading up to the classic novel Treasure Island.

Despite drawing on the history of pirates, Black Sails develops into a compelling story on its own, focusing on the clashes between pirates in New Providence and the British Empire. The show consistently and thoughtfully examines complex themes like colonialism, injustice, the struggle for control, the harsh side of society, and the power of narrative.

The pirates are struggling to get ready for the upcoming battle because the captains keep arguing. They all rely on trade with Eleanor Guthrie (Hannah New) to earn money and keep their crews satisfied. While Eleanor trusts Flint’s plans for Nassau, his main competitor, Charles Vane (Zach McGowan), a historical pirate featured in Black Sails, thinks they should fight the British head-on.

The backstory of the famous pirate Long John Silver (played by Luke Arnold) is also key – he’s as cunning and dangerous as Flint himself. Unlike shows like Game of Thrones and Outlander, which had to continue beyond their original books, Black Sails always knew how it would end, resulting in a focused and satisfying complete narrative.

Unlike Outlander, which got bogged down in confusing plot holes with its time travel, Black Sails stays focused and avoids becoming overly complicated. And while the final season of Game of Thrones suffered from rushed and illogical character changes, Black Sails consistently delivers well-developed and believable characters.

Why Black Sails Never Saw The Same Popularity As Game Of Thrones Or Outlander

Reddit users have often wondered why Black Sails didn’t become more popular. While Game of Thrones was a massive hit in the mid-2010s and Outlander quickly gained a following, both shows had an advantage: they were based on already popular books. Black Sails didn’t have that built-in audience, and it also aired on Starz, a network that wasn’t as well-known.

Although Black Sails is praised for its realism – which helped keep the story focused – it originally might have attracted a larger audience if it had included fantastical elements like time travel or dragons. Instead, the show deliberately chose to concentrate on the authentic details and harsh realities of the Golden Age of Piracy.

The first season of Black Sails is definitely its slowest, and it often discouraged viewers from continuing. However, with Game of Thrones finished, more people are discovering Black Sails and many now believe it’s the superior show – especially now that it’s on Netflix as of 2024. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should definitely give it a try!

All episodes of Black Sails are available to stream on Netflix.

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2026-02-25 05:08