'Black Sails'
A picture of Ray Stevenson as Blackbeard in the TV series "Black Sails" Season 3. Facebook/BlackSails

In a recent interview, cast members Zach McGowan and Ray Stevenson talked about what the introduction of Blackbeard in “Black Sails” Season 3 means for the story. They also talked about the changes in Vane after the character’s entry and what the return of his mentor means for Vane.

[Spoiler alert]

Blackbeard’s (Stevenson) main intention in returning to Nassau and back to a life of piracy was to leave behind a legacy. In Vane (McGowan) he saw a son he could never have and now intends for Vane to stand by his side.

In an interview with Collider, Stevenson said that the cast and crew of the show are homogenised and he didn’t want to “upset the apple cart” when he entered. The cast and crew apparently “embraced” the new cast member, but in terms of the story; Blackbeard is already shaking things up on the show.

McGowan revealed that Blackbeard came at a time when there was a big shift in Vane’s character. Towards the end of Season 2, Vane had decided to help Flint (Toby Stephens) and look for something that was “bigger than he is.” In “Black Sails” Season 3, Vane will start to wonder who he really is and what he stands for.

“Vane has a lot to think about in Season 3,” McGowan said. Stevenson said that Blackbeard will make Vane think about what he really wants. “He’s made these altruistic alliances with everybody, but is that him? To question yourself, at that point in your career and life, is a question you normally face when you’re 20,” Stevenson said.

The loot of the Spanish gold made all the pirates in Nassau “decadent,” Stevenson said. The return of Blackbeard in “Black Sails” Season 3 was like showing the pirates a mirror and reminding them about what they once were, the actor said.