Starz has cancelled Black Sails.
Having renewed the pirate drama for Season 4 last year, the cable network has suddenly announced that its 10-episode fourth season – to premiere in 2017 – will be the last in the series. There wont be a fifth season.
Attempting to control the cancellation narrative, co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg said of the show’s demise:
“It’s a rare privilege in television to be given the kind of creative freedom we’ve enjoyed on this show over the last four years. While it was a difficult decision for us to make this season our last, we simply couldn’t imagine anything beyond it that would make for a better ending to the story nor a more natural handoff to Treasure Island.”
Starz managing director Carmi Zlotnik added:
“Jon Steinberg and Robert Levine, along with their crew and the phenomenal cast, have delivered a spectacular take on the most legendary pirate story in literature, and this final season will bring us to the shores of Treasure Island as was always intended. Black Sails has been a tremendous success; from the loyal fan following and strong viewership numbers to awards recognition and the skill of our world-class production in Cape Town, we could not be more proud of this very special series.”
The decision to announce the end of Black Sails now, rather than at the time of the fourth season renewal, suggests Season 5 was possible until recently, hence the cancellation designation.
RIP.
Chris says
this isn’t a cancellation, its just ending that’s it, just because there’s not going to be a fifth season doesn’t mean they cancelled it, this doesn’t belong in cancelled, its misleading
RenewCancelTV says
It was renewed for Season 4 a year go, it’s just now been announced as the ‘final season’, hence it’s cancelled.
charles vane says
Everytime something good comes and then they end it. Starz wont see any sub from me.
Chris says
“Final Season” does not mean it was cancelled, its ending it limited story run, this is NOT a cancellation, its an expensive show that has a start, middle and end, its not cancelled its just ending with season 4.but you guys will take any news and turn into a cancellation, shows end, it doesn’t mean TPTB cancelled it.
RenewCancelTV says
The key point is when this “final season” was announced. Not at the outset or at the time of renewal like most shows with a supposed ‘limited story run’, but a year later, out of the blue. Just like Da Vinci’s Demons before it, that’s a cancellation, however TPTB spin it.
Black Sails had a six season plan.
Chris says
six seasons? wow I had no idea
so is ending something early for whatever reason automatically means “cancelled” ?
plans change, I just think cancelled is too harsh of a word for this show, it makes you think of failure or lack of success, like someone did something wrong and now its over, but this is getting an ending, the creator is able to finish the story even if its earlier then planned, that’s situation doesn’t bring to mind the word cancelled, but you guys don’t have a middle ground section, its either renew or cancelled
RenewCancelTV says
Ending early is not an automatic cancellation and plans can indeed change. However, we have specific rules for what is deemed a cancellation or ending and apply them to each show based on the evidence available during the life of the show.
Black Sails had a stated six season plan and was renewed for Season 4 around this time last year, which left the door open for Season 5. A year later, S4 is suddenly announced as the ‘final season’.
You have to ask why? Sure, perhaps plans did change and TPTB felt four seasons was the right run for the show. But perhaps they changed because the numbers/finances couldn’t support further seasons? In our book (with everything else taken into consideration) this is a cancellation. We don’t go by what the networks and producers say in their ‘final season’ press releases, as they will say whatever makes them look good.
Compare this to Orphan Black – BBCA announced the 5th season as the last at the time of the 5th season renewal. There’s no ambiguity or room for sneaky network/PR spin. That’s an ending – there’s advance warning and clarity in the status of the show.
Take CBS, they would like you to believe that Person Of Interest was ‘ended’ and not ‘cancelled’ when the latter is clearly true. Just because a show gets to craft out an ending, it doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t still cancelled. It all depends.
The site is called RenewCancelTV, so we do like to have a specific status, but shows usually are cancelled, renewed or ended. However, we do apply middle ground where there’s room for doubt, in which case we would say “Cancelled/Ended”.
As you point out, ‘ended’ sounds better than ‘cancelled’. The latter may seem harsh, but it’s not meant to reflect the quality of the show in question, just as ‘renewed’ or ‘ended’ doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the show in question. We have to approach it objectively.
For us, this is the fairest way of approaching the status of shows and getting to the truth of the matter. Of course, you’re welcome to disagree!
Mike says
I will save money on my Dish bill when Black Sails goes away, The ONLY reason I subscribe to Starz.
My biggest complaint with Starz and the main reason I don’t watch much there is because they butcher the movie credits with previews and such, Something the rest of the major movie channels like HBO, MAX, TMC and SHO don’t.
Take a hint Starz
Robert says
I watched the first and only season, to many stupid plots to follow. Why have a pirates of the Caribbean and film in south africa. Makes no sense if was filmed where they the pirates are maybe people would travel to see the areas like the walking dead does. Filmed about ga in ga.
Ellie says
I’m going to miss Black Sails when it’s no longer on, but Charles Vane is no longer with us and that softens the blow significantly. I’m a 75 year old woman and I looked forward to watching since it began. Oh well, there are always reruns.
Ellie
Maik Lankau says
You mean I watch all for seasons and you cancel the 5th? So disappointed in Starz. Will can cancel my Subscription. What a waste of time.
lee says
Really loved this series, maybe they’ll make a similar series with different pirate stories, but keep the same writers, props and such though?
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