Black Sails cast guide: Who's who in the swashbuckling pirate series

As of April 2024, all four seasons of the fan-favorite Starz original historical action series Black Sails have become available on Netflix. It's an exciting development for those who love the series and now have every episode more accessible than ever on streaming. Likewise, so many new viewers will be able to check out the show and binge-watch all the swashbuckling pirate adventures.

If you're new to the series and watching for the first time on Netflix, then you will definitely recognize some familiar faces in the cast. First and foremost, The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper appears in all four seasons, as does The Secret Circle and The Flash alum Jessica Parker Kennedy. You might also recognize Zach McGowan from Shameless and Toby Stephens, who's been a Bond Villain, starred in Netflix's Lost in Space, and plays Poseidon in the new Percy Jackson series.

There are plenty more pirates to discover while watching Black Sails on Netflix. While you're watching or rewatching the series, you might be wondering who plays each of the roles and how long they stick around in the show. Below we're sharing a guide to who's who in the cast with additional explanation on which stars appear in which seasons!

Who starred in the Black Sails main cast?

Although the cast underwent some significant changes throughout its run, a core group of cast members stayed with the series from beginning to end. Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper, Toby Schmitz, and Clara Paget were each series regulars in all four seasons of the show. Other cast members either left the series early in various manners for their characters (yes, sometimes death), while others came on board later on.

A small group of cast members who originated the Black Sails main cast in season 1 departed the show after only one, two, or three seasons. Mark Ryan only appeared in the first season, while Sean Cameron Mitchell left after three and Zach McGowan, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Louise Barnes weren't part of the main cast after the third season. Seasons 2 and 3 brought in new main cast members such as Rupert Penry-Jones, Luke Roberts, Ray Stevenson, David Wilmot, and Harriet Walter.

Here's a full table containing the show's complete main cast over the course of four seasons, who each cast member played, and how many seasons they were in:

No doubt, Netflix fans will take a particular liking to Tom Hopper and his character Billy Bones. He's the First Mate of the Walrus, and while he seems super likable (because how could you look at Tom Hopper and not root for his character?), he's actually one of the more debated characters in the series. A lot of fans believe he betrayed Flint, though others have been known to defend the gray areas that led Billy to make the decision he did. It's part of the fun of watching the show!

Since Black Sails is written as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, the show requires large set pieces and an expansive world full of colorful personalities. Beyond the main cast and characters, there are so many more characters and cast members fleshing out the series in recurring and guest roles. Throughout a binge-watch, you meet dozens upon dozens of memorable characters, who are each played by talented performers. Who's your favorite... and LEAST favorite?

All four seasons of Black Sails are currently available to stream on Netflix.