TCA: Starz Renews Michael Bay’s ‘Black Sails’ Six Months Before Series Premiere
Starz has for the second time renewed a program before the series even debuts, this time with Michael Bay’s pirate drama “Black Sails.”
As it did with Kelsey Grammer-starrer “Boss” in 2011, Starz has picked up a second run of “Black Sails” in advance of its January premiere, ordering 10 episodes set to begin lensing in South Africa this November.
“Based on the strong fan response to the preview screening [of 'Black Sails'] at last week’s Comic Con, we felt an early order for a second season would allow the writers, cast and crew enough time and space to continue crafting such unique and epic storytelling,” said Chris Albrecht, CEO of the pay TV net.
Creator and exec producer Jon Steinberg dubbed the renewal “an exciting vote of confidence.”
“Black Sails” centers on the tales of Captain Flint and takes place twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” Toby Stephens toplines the show, with Bay exec producing with Steinberg through Platinum Dunes.
Move by Starz follows similar renewals made by Netflix and GSN. Netflix offered two seasons to its first original effort “House of Cards” up front, and renewed “Orange is the New Black” for a new season before it bowed the season one episodes on the streaming platform this summer. GSN has renewed gameshow “The Chase” for a second season, as well, ahead of its series launch.
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