The breakout hit of last year is back for its second voyage, with even more New Zealand stars on board. Stewart Sowman-Lund visits the Auckland set of Our Flag Means Death.
“I’m learning about how intense the fans are,” says Madeleine Sami. “I’ve seen some fanfiction, I keep getting warnings about what might happen.”
It’s December, 2022, on a dreary, drizzly day on the set of Our Flag Means Death season two. We’re sitting in a tent in the middle of lush greenery in Riverhead, north of Auckland. While much of the scenery is natural forest and distinctly New Zealand – it’s hard not to watch the show and recognise at times just how much it looks like Auckland – it’s been transformed today into the 18th century. Dozens of extras are walking about in era-specific garb and carrying weapons. At one point, American comedian Leslie Jones wanders past, decked out in a resplendent headpiece.
