Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses.
They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.
In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.
Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.
Pirates' moral ambiguity and rebellious spirit make them endlessly fascinating, and these ten TV shows will take you along on the adventure. Real-life piracy might be terrifying, but the fantasy that we've built up around the profession is thrilling. There's something fun about watching a bunch of swashbucklers go on grand quests to steal, loot, and care for their crews above all else.
You might find yourself participating in International Talk Like A Pirate Day (yes, that's a real holiday) and seeking out long coats and three-cornered hats. Whether or not you've ever stepped foot on a boat, pirate stories will make you yearn for the high seas and sing sea shanties all day long.
You might idolize Captain Hook and The Dread Pirate Roberts, who stand out as fan-favorite onscreen pirates. However, piracy is relatively difficult to find on the TV screen. Usually, these adventures are condensed into hour-and-a-half to two-hour-long movies. Pirates don't generally take center stage in shows, though that's increasingly changing. In no particular order, these are the ten best pirate TV shows out there, and the show in the number 1 slot won't ever be beaten.
During a midlife crisis, an aristocratic landowner named Stede Bonnet abandons his wife, kids, and life of luxury to become a pirate. He takes on the role of captain aboard the Revenge, leading a dysfunctional crew. As he crosses paths with Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, the men find themselves falling in love against all odds.
Our Flag Means Death deserved so much more appreciation as both an adventure story and a pirate rom-com. Bonnet and Blackbeard are the perfect opposites-attract couple with a swoonworthy love story. The plot never takes itself too seriously. HBO Max’s series has fantastic production values and a top-notch original score. Putting it all together, Our Flag Means Death is great for a laugh and that pirate fix viewers are craving.
In an alternate history, Edward “Blackbeard” Teach is still alive in 1729, hiding out on an island called New Providence. His unique society has interrupted international trade and commerce, so an undercover assassin named Tom Lowe is sent to kill him. However, the game of cat and mouse gets complicated when Tom figures out he aligns with Blackbeard’s values more than expected.
Considering Blackbeard is one of the most notorious pirates of all time, it’s no surprise that he shows up on this list many times. However, Crossbones has a very different interpretation of the character than others, thanks to the absolute acting legend John Malkovich. He is the heartblood of the show, bringing unexpected layers to the character. He keeps the show going even in its weaker moments.
The animated 90s TV show The Pirates of Dark Water is a cult classic, and it’s definitely one of the best pirate shows. A prince named Ren must sail through the 20 seas of the planet Mer, completing quests to stop the sentient Dark Water from taking over the world. He and his crew must collect the 13 mystical artifacts that preserve the life force of Mer, while avoiding nefarious enemies.
The story is a great adventure fantasy with a gorgeous world in a watercolor style. The characters feel fleshed out, with authentic motivations and emotions. On top of that, the plot is surprisingly well-written, making it a great watch for both children and adults alike.
Considering most folks reading this are adults, Jake & the Never Land Pirates might seem like an odd inclusion in this list. If you don’t like kids' shows, skip this entry. However, the Disney Jr. show is actually one of the more entertaining children’s shows I’ve watched in recent years. The show follows child pirates Jake, Cubby, Izzy, and the pirate Skully as they battle Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Sharky, and Bones to find treasure throughout Neverland.
Unlike some other shows, I don’t mind watching it with the kids in my life. The first season is very much an interactive children's show. However, Jake and the Never Land Pirates seasons 2 through 4 feel much more like a fun, action-driven adventure on a grander scale. Luckily, Jake feels on par with classic Disney movie characters.
The One Piece live-action show has broken Netflix’s bad anime adaptation curse, and it’s great fun to watch. In the show, The Pirate King Gold Roger hides his treasure, the One Piece, before his execution. Anyone who finds it becomes King of the Pirates. An eccentric pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, with rubber powers from a Devil Fruit, quests with his crew to find a lost map piece and, eventually, the treasure.
The Netflix original series has the perfect casting and costumes. The sets are extremely elaborate. Unlike other anime adaptations, One Piece doesn’t run from the ridiculousness and silliness of the source material. Ultimately, it captures the spirit of the story without leaning too much into the anime tropes.
Once Upon A Time is not strictly a pirate show, but it frequently includes pirate stories thanks to the main love interest, Hook, played by Irish actor Colin O'Donoghue. The story centers on a town filled with storybook characters who are cursed to forget who they are, but a mysterious out-of-towner could change everything. As it goes on, more stories are woven in. One of the biggest storylines throughout is the reimagining of Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and the Crocodile, filled with plenty of pirate hijinks.
The series is one of the best fairytale mashups aside from Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. In Once Upon a Time, Hook is a fan-favorite character due to his swagger, swashbuckling personality, and conventional attractiveness. Plus, the show has a whole season focused on Neverland.
The anime Fena: Pirate Princess is a classic pirate story with plenty of adventure and wonder to go around. Set in an alternate version of the Golden Age of Piracy, the story follows an orphaned young woman named Fena who sets sail with unlikely friends to become a pirate. She wants nothing more than to figure out who she is, despite expectations set by others.
The anime has truly stunning production values, boasting impressive character designs and sets. The story manages to balance the old and the new, feeling both nostalgic and fresh. What’s more, Fena is a really exciting main character to follow, and her storyline is engaging.
The National Geographic docuseries Pirates: Behind the Legends is one of the best out there right now, far exceeding Netflix’s The Lost Pirate Kingdom. The series lasts eight episodes, with each one exploring the stories of revered and feared pirates from history. By going one at a time, the docuseries can go into deeper detail.
Luckily, Pirates: Behind the Legends includes historical experts and pirate artifacts, attempting to be as accurate as possible while acknowledging that rumors and gossip alter the perception of history. Every documentary has biases, and this is no exception. The pirates selected are pretty limited regionally, and they use British and US experts. That being said, Pirates: Behind the Legends is still a great choice.
Black Sails is, by far, my favorite pirate show. The prequel to Treasure Island is set in the 18th century. It focuses on the fictional Captain Flint, a former officer in the Royal Navy and current pirate, during the Golden Age of Piracy, when every country had deemed pirates enemy number 1. Over the course of four seasons, Flint has friendly and adversarial relationships with fictionalized versions of historical pirates.
Despite grassroots efforts from fans, STARZ has not greenlit or announced a spinoff or sequel series to Black Sails.
The STARZ show has gorgeous visuals, interesting characters, and strong performances. The costuming is top-notch. The cinematography heightens the intensity and mood of each scene. In the first season of Black Sails, the show leans a bit more into salaciousness and spectacle, but it quickly aligns more with prestige TV.
No matter my own preference towards Black Sails, there’s zero question that the One Piece anime is the longest-running and most popular pirate-themed TV show. No pirate show is ever going to beat it out in longevity, fanbase, and absolute zaniness. The anime and live-action have the same premise.
The characters in One Piece are over-the-top, funny, and entertaining to watch. The adventure is gripping, and it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen next because the anime is absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible. On top of that, One Piece is the perfect choice for people who want to continue binge-watching the story forever because it’s virtually impossible to catch up to the over 1000 episodes.
