The full pilot for Michael Bay’s Starz series Black Sails is now streaming online

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Michael Bay may be divisive when it comes to his movies, but as he makes his first foray into producing a television series he may have found a winner. BLACK SAILS, a prequel series following characters from TREASURE ISLAND like Captain Flint and Long John Silver, will premiere this weekend on Starz, but you can watch the full pilot episode right now on Machinima’s YouTube channel.

Unlike most Starz series, BLACK SAILS is carrying a TV-14 rating for the pilot. The constant nudity and blood in other shows like MAGIC CITY, BOSS, SPARTACUS, and CAMELOT may be toned down in BLACK SAILS, but something tells me this may just be a ploy to get people into the show. I mean, the opening featurette makes an effort to use the words violent and bloody multiple times.

lack Sails brings viewers back to 1715, when the world’s most notorious pirate captains controlled the debauched paradise known as New Providence Island, the most notorious criminal haven of its day teeming with pirates, prostitutes, thieves and fortune seekers. Taking place 20 years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island,” the series kicks off as Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), the most brilliant and feared pirate captain of his day, is threatened by extinction from all sides including the British Navy, rival captains and even the fast-talking young addition to his crew, John Silver (Luke Arnold), who undermines Flint’s agenda at every turn.

Toby Stephens hasn’t been seen much Stateside since his villainous turn in the Bond movie DIE ANOTHER DAY, but he is virtually unrecognizable as Captain Flint. The production values here look to be on par with the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films but the show seems to be aiming for a gritty realism along the lines of DEADWOOD. If it can even come close to that HBO series then we are in luck.

BLACK SAILS premieres on Starz on January 25th.