‘Black Sails’ to end with fourth season on Starz

LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) — Starz says the upcoming fourth season of Black Sails will be the pirate drama’s last voyage.

Starring Toby Stephens as buccaneer Captain Flint, the Treasure Island prequel’s final 10 episodes are to air in 2017.

“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,” series co-creator and executive producer Jonathan E. Steinberg said in a statement Wednesday. “We’d like to thank Chris, Carmi and everyone at Starz for all their faith and support, and to our astounding cast and crew for joining us on this ride.”

“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,” added Starz Managing Director Carmi Zlotnik. “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 show co-stars Hannah New, Tom Hopper, Luke Arnold, Zach McGowan and Jessica Parker Kennedy. It was co-created by Robert Levine, and executive produced by Steinberg, Levine, Michael Bay, and his Platinum Dunes partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, as well as Chris Symes, Brad Caleb Kane, and Dan Shotz.