Crossbones

Crossbones

Created by Neil Cross

On NBC

20141 season9 episodes42 min6.1 / 10

A swashbuckling period drama set in a pirate haven that pairs historical intrigue with moral ambiguity, following an assassin's infiltration of Blackbeard's rule.

It's 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard, reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder's paradise, this is a place like no other on earth - and a mounting threat to international commerce. To gain control of this fearsome society, Tom Lowe, a highly skilled undercover assassin, is sent to the buccaneers' haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard. But the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple. Lowe can't help but admire the political ideals of Blackbeard, whose thirst for knowledge knows no bounds - and no law. But Lowe is not the only danger to Blackbeard's rule. He is a man with many villainous rivals and one great weakness - a passionately driven woman whom he cannot deny.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Crossbones scary? Yes. More frightening than 87% of series.

  • Is Crossbones violent? Yes. More violent than 85% of series.

  • Does Crossbones leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 73% of series.

  • Is Crossbones easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 70% of series.

  • Is Crossbones sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

49/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity50

How unlike any other series this one feels

Surprise57

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love41

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Crossbones

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Crossbones

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Crossbones, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Crossbones, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Crossbones, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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