Our Flag Means Death: The Wild Real-Life Inspiration For Minnie Driver's Irish Pirate
"Our Flag Means Death" Season 2 is looming on the horizon, and it's got a few extra pirates in tow this time around. While fans can look forward to the return of Rhys Darby's Stede Bonnet, Taika Waititi's Blackbeard, Con O'Neill's Izzy Hands, and most of the other seafaring scoundrels from Season 1, there are some notable new additions to the cast. One of the most intriguing new faces is "Speechless" star Minnie Driver, who portrays a female pirate named Anne Bonny and crosses paths with the main crew.
Minnie Driver as Anne Bonney in S2 of Our Flag Means Death is some god tier casting pic.twitter.com/7Am10x22K8
— Nerd Girl Says (@Rachael_Conrad) August 24, 2023
Dedicated series fans, history buffs, and pirate enthusiasts alike will be quick to note that many of the characters featured on "Our Flags Means Death" are dramatized depictions of real-life historical figures. Driver's Anne Bonny is no different, as there really was a pirate by that name who lived during the 1700s. Not only that, but the real-life Bonny has an absolutely wild legacy as one of the most infamous pirates out there, with stories of her unique bravery and uncanny ability to outwit the law being passed down through the generations.
Truth is stranger than fiction with Anne Bonny
As mentioned prior, the real-life Anne Bonny lived quite the eventful life. She was born in Ireland somewhere around the turn of the 18th century, and, as a young woman, married a man named John Bonny. Soon after, however, she sparked an illicit romance with the notorious pirate John "Calico Jack" Rackham (portrayed by Will Arnett in "Our Flag Means Death"), and joined his crew in order to sail the open seas.
Suffice to say, female pirates were quite a rarity at the time of Bonny's adventures. Nonetheless, she demonstrated her capability to her male colleagues on various occasions, most notably during one particular incident from late 1720 in which Calico Jack's vessel faced a surprise attack from a ship sent by the governor of the Bahamas. While Calico Jack and most of his crew hid below deck, Bonny and her fellow female pirate Mary Read attempted to fight and stave off the invaders.
Though the pirates were ultimately captured and sentenced to hanging for their crimes, Bonny acquired a stay of execution due to being pregnant at the time of her imprisonment. She survived the ordeal and went on to lead a full life beyond her years as a pirate.
All in all, Anne Bonny's story is one of empowerment, adventure, romance, bravery, and unexpected twists — the quintessential pirate's tale. It remains to be seen just how much "Our Flag Means Death" Season 2 will reflect her real-life history, but it's safe to say she'll fit right in with the show's irreverent tone.