This one really, really hurts…
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY HBO MAX
If you spot me screaming into the void for the next month or so, it’s because I’m reeling from today’s news that Our Flag Means Death has been cancelled. The HBO Max show was unapologetically queer AF as we followed a diverse chosen family of swashbuckling pirates on their seafaring adventures. It also served up beautiful queer love stories. The second season provided what we had long been praying for… lesbian pirates!
The show has been praised for its stunning LGBTQIA representation and has touched the lives of many fans from our community. Its portrayal of non-binary pirate Jim (Vico Ortiz) was truly gamechanging. While I’ve become somewhat accustomed to losing my favourite shows to the alarming “Cancel Your Gays” trend, this one has truly devasted me.
In an emotional Instagram post, Our Flag Means Death creator David Jenkins paid tribute to the show and mourned its “premature end”. “I’m very sad I won’t set foot on the Revenge again with my friends,” he wrote. “Some of whom have become close to family. But I couldn’t be more grateful for being allowed to captain the damn thing in the first place.”
The only hope I am holding onto is the power and dedication of LGBTQIA fandoms. While we’ve lost so many beloved shows in recent years, we’ve also seen some success stories. Just look at how the #SaveWarriorNun campaign sparked great change and we’ll now get a trilogy film series. I really hope we can #SaveOFMD.
Here’s how fans are processing the heartbreaking news…
a huge thank you to our flag means death, for helping me come to terms with my queer identity. this show helped me so much in discovering who i am and taught me to be proud of myself❤️🩹🏴☠️ #OurFlagMeansUs pic.twitter.com/mFPPlJjgbo
— sam ⎊ 🏴☠️ #SaveOFMD (@starkrings) January 9, 2024
I'm so devastated to hear that Our Flag Means Death won't get another season. I'm so thankful to that show and the fandom because I wouldn't be where I am now without it.
— han 🐇 (@hansoeii) January 9, 2024
our flag means death got cancelled pic.twitter.com/sKzMoWCXIO
— hannah (@hannahack1) January 9, 2024
The Our Flag Means Death fanbase kept the writers alive, fed and hydrated during the WGA strike. They sent money, food and organized to help. And I am so sorry to them that the studio just cancelled this show. The fans deserve better.
— Caroline Renard (@carolinerenard_) January 9, 2024
Hey @PrimeVideo you know how you have this lovely show called Good Omens? You know what a lot of people who like that show also like? Our Flag Means Death. Wouldn't it be nice to have both of these shows on the same platform? ❤️ #SaveOFMD
— Mari 🇵🇸 ofmd (@smolbus) January 10, 2024
They just cancelled Our Flag Means Death after 2 seasons and let me tell you, if you thought Kpop stans and Swifties were capable of some seriously unhinged collective action, I would suggest HBO buckle the F up #OFMD
— Becky Braunstein (@BeckyFromAlaska) January 9, 2024
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
This show is something truly exceptional. I hope the petition to get it back encourages another streaming service to pick it up. It’s worth signing if only to let the cast and crew know that their work is valued.