Taika Waititi has been cast as Blackbeard in the upcoming HBO Max pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death.
According to Variety, Waititi joins the previously announced series lead Rhys Darby, who previously worked with Waititi on Flight Of The Conchords and the film What We Do In The Shadows. Waititi served as a writer and director on the former and was star, co-writer, co-director, and producer on the latter. Darby starred in both projects.
Hailing from writer, showrunner, and executive producer David Jenkins, when Our Flag Means Death was ordered to series back in September it was announced that Waititi would executive produce and direct the pilot. The show will also see Garrett Basch and Dan Halsted serve as executive producers alongside Waititi.
The show is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet (Darby), a pampered aristocrat who abandoned his life of privilege to become a pirate.
Jenkins said of Waititi’s casting: “Our Blackbeard is a legend, a lover, a fighter, a tactical genius, a poetic soul, and quite possibly insane. Only one man could play this role, and that is the great Taika Waititi. We’re thrilled beyond measure he’s decided to don the beard.”
The season, which is set to air on Stan from tonight (May 1), was filmed in New Zealand earlier this year. The contestants were later revealed at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade last month.
In a press statement, Minogue said: “I’m SO excited to finally be a part of RuPaul’s Drag Race for the first series Down Under.
“It’s such an iconic show and I can’t wait to watch the contestants perform their hearts out.”
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