Outfest, a media platform dedicated to promoting diverse storytelling, recently rang in Pride Month with their free for all, virtual event “The Outfronts” which runs from June 2-5. Featuring a plethora of pre-recorded panel interviews with ensemble casts and show-runners behind some of the most beloved LGBTQIA+ themed contemporary shows, this event strives to shed light on empowerment and the queer experience.
Following is just a gist of what went down in the first installment. The ensemble cast of the pathbreaking period romance that doubles as a pirate rom-com, “Our Flag Means Death” had a panel discussion. This was comprised of Producer and Actor Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby, Con O’Neill, Nathan Foad, and Vico Ortiz. The group got together with host Dana Piccoli to candidly address inclusivity, gatekeeping within the industry, and offered their personal takes on their respective multidimensional characters.
Who’s the Gayest of them All?
Right off the bat, the unhinged ensemble steers the conversation towards determining which of their characters in the show is the ‘gayest of them all.” This is with Vico and Foad still finding it hard to process the unexpectedly out and proud turn of events in Season 1. They discussed how both actors initially showed up on-set burdened with doubts over whether they’d be typecast as the ‘token gay/non binary’ character again (a still persisting issue that negatively impacts many creatives from the LGBTQIA+ community). Rhys Darby humorously interjected that he was under the impression that his character Stede Bonnet’s heels and frills were enough proof that he was worthy of the aforementioned title.
However, the trio is ultimately ‘out-gayed’ by Waititi, who likens his leather-clad anti hero Edward Teach to Touko Laaksonen, an artist who went by the stage name ‘Tom of Finland.’ Touko gained a cult status among the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly for his on-brand bold and promiscuous portraits.
All Those in Favour of a Heartfelt and Spirited Queer Rom-com, Say ‘Aye’!
In act 2 of this poignant panel discussion, the cast straightforwardly delves into how the themes of the show and how their character traits often intertwined with their own personal experiences.
Rhys Darby and Conan O’Neill in “Our Flag Means Death.” (Photo: HBO Max).
Vico leads this in-depth conversation by pointing out the yin and yang imagery of the main couples/ships in the show (especially Ed-Stede/Gentlebeard, Olu-Jim and Lucius-Black Pete). They also tackle the fluidity of the romantic relationships in the show… which have allowed even sapphic viewers to see themselves or resonate with the chemistry between the on-screen couples by finding common ground.
Following this, Foad offers a stirring personal anecdote where he opens up about feeling sidelined in his 20s as a young drama student. He cited tokenist portrayals and limited or stereotypical one-dimensional roles as a major issue. He later expanded upon how landing the meaty role of iconic, sassy/multidimensional Lucius not only enabled him to further explore his acting capabilities, but also to celebrate his true self on-screen.
A Deep Dive Into ‘Death’s’ Characters
Waititi was recently lauded for his impactful keynote speech on authentic indigenous representation, storytelling, and challenges for writers and storytellers at the “Raising our Voices” seminar held by The Hollywood Reporter. Here, he expressed pride in the unique writing and subtlety of the show in portraying queer romance, stating the lack of preachiness and spoon-feeding one’s audience. He elaborated “Our Flag Means Death” instead chooses to break free from gay trauma to focus on the wholesome, romantic aspects — which felt like a breath of fresh air in a contemporary show.
Vico supported this statement by citing the instance of Stede’s crew instantaneously accepting the character of Jim Jimenez without hesitation, and without resorting to deadnaming them after their ‘gender change.’
And in a highly unexpected turn of events, Con O’Neill also offered a deep-dive into his antagonistic character Izzy Hand’s emotional growth, and his inability to differentiate between love and lust towards his first mate Edward. These events have most certainly left me viewing this character in a more favorable light, despite Izzy’s despicable, toxic nature throughout the first season. Maybe there’s hope for this character after all!
Fangirling over the Fanart and Guest Stars
Of course, it would be an incomplete discussion without the ensemble cast thanking the growing and ever-supportive online fanbase and their role in garnering views for the show via word of mouth, despite an initial slow start and hardly any marketing by Max.
Vico Ortiz and Samson Kayo in “Our Flag Means Death.” (Photo: HBO Max).
Foad reminisced about excitedly attending conventions and meet and greets, while Waititi shares a similar sentiment towards the homoerotic fanart that pops up on his Twitter feed. He also jokingly crossing his fingers over whether he’ll have enough storage space on his phone for all the fanart that Season 2 will bring!
The cast also ecstatically heap praise on the guest stars such as SNL heavyweights Leslie Jones and Fred Armisen, who featured as recurring characters in Season 1. Vico bragged about the opportunity to briefly romance Jones on-screen, and Foad found it hard to contain his excitement over working alongside SNL alumni after growing up on re-runs of the American sketch show as a young lad in the UK. O’Neill also shares fond memories of Taika, Rhys, and guest star Will Arnett reenacting Monty Python sketches together in the make-up van in between takes… all of which just sounds like my idea of heaven!
Last but not least, Rhys also randomly broke into song (twice) as a parting gift to the fans. Now that’s what I call ‘peak fan service’!
Potential Spoilers or Just a Joke Among Friends?
Host Piccoli quickly wraps up the brief get-together by posing an amusing question on ‘which cast member would potentially walk the plank in real life?’ Waititi is quick with his response, immediately throwing bestie and co-captain Rhys under the bus. The rest of the cast mutually agrees, stating mob mentality as their excuse, while an aghast Darby just watches in horror as the ‘crew’ mutinies against him.
All jokes aside, considering that Season 1 left viewers on a tearful cliffhanger (with a rather vindictive Ed staring off into the distance after reverting to his former dark persona), hopefully this is merely a joke among friends and not actually a spoiler for the upcoming Season 2.
The “Outfronts” virtual event runs from June 2 – June 5. Join us for coverage of day 2, coming soon.
