Summary
- Black Sails is a perfect Game of Thrones replacement with gripping drama and satisfying ending.
- Black Sails blends world-building & high-octane action, ideal for fans craving intense fight scenes.
- The series combines political intrigue, period drama, & moral complexities akin to Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones’ end in 2019 left a hole for many people that has been difficult to replace in their television consumption, with no other show having managed to bring that same level of gravitas and drama ever since. While there have been spinoffs related to the Game of Thrones world, many people still yearn for the drama of Westeros to unfold.
Fortunately, there is one television series that serves as a perfect Game of Thrones replacement. Boasting a tight four seasons and an ending that will prove to be more satisfying, this pirate series is something that brings a swashbuckling amount of fun.
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Black Sails Is An Ideal Replacement For Game Of Thrones
This Series Works As A Prequel To Treasure Island
Black Sails is the television show that all Game of Thrones fans should be seeking out, with this pirate series being an ideal replacement for anyone yearning for something similar. While it might not be set in a fantasy world where giants roam and dragons fly, it ticks every single other box possible. Whether it’s dramatic verbal confrontations, explicit romances, or even an incredible opening song, Black Sails has a lot of similarities to Game of Thrones. Running from 2014 to 2017, there are four seasons and 38 episodes of Black Sails, meaning this is something that doesn’t take as much of a commitment to get through as Game of Thrones, but it doesn’t skimp on delivering tons of drama, as every episode packs a punch.
Much like Game of Thrones, Black Sails draws inspiration from the literary world, as this show is a prequel to the iconic story of Treasure Island. That means there are many characters with whom audiences will likely be familiar from this story, such as Captain Flint and Long John Silver, making it an even easier entry point for people. The series received consistent critical praise throughout its run, earning an 81% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an 8.2/10 IMDb score. Black Sails is seen as a high-quality drama, which is why it’s not a surprise that Game of Thrones fans will love it.
Black Sails Blends Political World-Building With High-Octane Action
Game Of Thrones Fans Will Love The Fight Scenes
Game of Thrones featured some of the greatest fight scenes in television history. Whether it was epic battle scenes between huge armies or close hand-to-hand combat with just a couple of characters, the fantasy series manages to provide a blend of something for everyone. That is something that Black Sails also delivers on, with a mixture of fight scenes, all of which are shot dramatically with the highest production value. This is particularly true when the pirates are out to sea, with visuals that are gripping and realistic enough to the point where fans can feel the intensity and danger involved.
However, Black Sails doesn’t just rely upon pirates fighting against each other, pillaging, and plundering around the world. Instead, there’s a lot of politics, power plays, and secrets that have a major impact on the story and the characters that inhabit it. This is another aspect of the show that Game of Thrones fans will appreciate, as the world that George R.R. Martin created is extremely political. The entire series is built around fighting for a seat on the Iron Throne, and while Black Sails doesn’t quite have that political scope, the needs and desires of each character shine through in every episode, ensuring that fans are never bored.
Black Sails Is A Tremendous Period Drama That Game Of Thrones Fans Will Love
The Series Also Operates In Murky Moral Waters
Ultimately, Black Sails is a tremendous period drama that seamlessly blends fighting, politics, romance, and humor in a way that very few shows are capable of achieving to this high a standard. Game of Thrones operates to that level, and even though it relies more on fantasy elements than Black Sails, that doesn’t mean that they’re not comparable. Audiences are sure to find similarities between the two, and given that the acting quality is as strong in Black Sails, with the plot providing just as many twists and turns. This pirate period drama promises to deliver what many fans have been missing since Game of Thrones ended.
One of the aspects about Game of Thrones that people found so intriguing was the fact that the show was filled with characters who operated in shades of grey. There were very few people who wore their hearts on their chests and were outwardly heroic, as the majority of people had a slightly darker side to them. Alternatively, some villains softened as the series went on, showcasing warmth and more compelling personality traits. The reason it worked so well was that it felt relatable; as human beings, by their very nature, we are flawed to some degree. It ensured that each character was fleshed out in detail to give audiences a full view of their personality, allowing people to make their own judgment, and Black Sails is very similar in that regard. It isn’t over the top, like many pirate movies and television shows can be, with characters having deep thoughts and feelings that all come together to create a compelling television show. There is a lot more than just action on the high seas within Black Sails, and while the fight scenes are brilliant, it’s the overall package that makes this compelling for anyone who enjoyed Game of Thrones.
Black Sails
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2017
- Network
- Starz










- Showrunner
- Jonathan E. Steinberg