The new brilliant comedy on HBO Max called Taika Waititi as producer, director, and actor, makes takes this show to another level.
A large part of the hilarity comes from the fact these misfits are neither talented enough nor smart enough to make great pirates. Fortunately, they have other skills that keep them alive, just barely. Though there are numerous other characters involved -- and an amazing list of cameos -- for this particular list, only the crew of The Revenge will be included.
The Swede
When we first meet the Swede, he doesn't say much. But as the show unfolds we begin to see Nat Faxon's brilliant physical humor and eventually hear his performance of this Swedish simpleton. Faxon (Reno 911!, Disenchantment) expresses a real joy in being so ignorant to the world and that's a huge part of the fun.
When scurvy finally hits the crew, the poor Swede gets the worst of it. He loses fingernails and his teeth fall out. Swede asks his crewmates for something to collect his teeth in so he can have them put back in later. The crew has to break the bad news to him that that isn't how it works.
Buttons
Oh, Buttons, what an odd and ignorant soul. Scottish actor Ewen Bremmer digs into the oddities of this character who seems to have some secrets as well. Bremmer (Trainspotting, Black Hawk Down) plays this pirate as a bit off and not quite living in the real world, though he does commune with seagulls quite well.
Buttons is willing to snitch on the rest of the crew discussing a mutiny. When getting ready for their first attack on another ship, Buttons shows off his 'fangs,' metal teeth he wears because he's getting too old for the hand-to-hand violence. Poor Buttons is doing his best, like trying to whittle a harpsichord, but even his moon bathing isn't going to help him.
Black Pete
The least intelligent are often the ones who think they're the smartest of all and Black Pete thinks his tall tales and lies are fooling the crew. Matthew Maher (Captain Marvel, Gone Baby Gone) plays a character who is overly confident and a bit of a pot-stirrer.
He claims that he served under Blackbeard and the notorious pirate ired him. Then when the real Blackbeard shows up, he has no idea who Black Pete is. Poor Black Pete isn't good for much except complaining.
Roach
Fortunately, Roach knows how to cook because his other skills are lacking. Samba Schutte (secondary character with main character energy. However, as the ship's cook, he has to speak up at times. When the Swede's scurvy gets bad, Roach informs Captain Bonnet but it's a bit late when all the citrus is gone.
Roach isn't afraid to speak up at times like when it comes to learning what vacation means, he's eager to include torturing the hostages as part of his relaxation. There might be more to Roach; Afterall, he did once have to sew his arm back on.
Wee John Feeney
Wee John Feeney, the hulking grumpy pirate, really just wants to light things on fire or blow them up. Other than that, the guy doesn't care to do much of anything. Kristian Naim, who the world knows mainly as Hodor from Game Of Thrones, finally gets to speak more than just his character's name.
When Wee John and the Swede try out this new idea of doing vacations, they figure punching each other in the stomach will help them unwind. There's not much else either can think of to relax and neither one likes the captain's idea of just lying on the sand. He does take great joy in light gunpowder on fire for no reason.
Frenchie
In the very first shot of the show, we hear Frenchie the ship's minstrel singing a pirates' tale. Frenchie seems to know a lot and be aware of how things work for pirates. He's even willing to sew a flag. But in fact, Joel Fry's (Plebs, Cruella) Frenchie is confident about all the wrong notions.
Contrary to the captain's belief, Frenchie is illiterate and doodles pictures for notes. He also believes that cats are witches and that women have crystals in their bodies that attract demons. He's kindhearted enough and well-meaning, but Frenchie wouldn't get far in life without his mates.
Captain Stede Bonnet
Captain Stede Bonnet, the self-proclaimed Gentleman Pirate, is educated and wealthy. Unfortunately, that's about all he has going for him except for maybe kindness in a cruel world. However, Rhys Darby (Flight Of The Conchords, Guns Akimbo) as the captain doesn't seem to be capable of making any good decisions.
The man is willing to try to push his shipwrecked vessel back out to sea. He'll buy a treasure map from a stranger. He even believes Black Pete's lies. But, at the very least, sweet Stede is trying to make everybody happy.
Oluwande
Oluwande knows what he's doing every step of the way. He tries to lay low for Jim's sake. He may only be on The Revenge to help save his friend Jim from Spanish Jackie. He's smart enough to volunteer to help the captain when he needs to and sew a flag when needed. Samson Kayo (Bloods, The Bubble) playing Oluwande is smooth enough to arrange the first pyramid scheme in history -- or is it a Nigerian prince scam?
Unfortunately, Oluwande's crush on Jim might just be his downfall. He's willing to risk a lot for his "friend." Hopefully, as the series progresses more of his story will come to light. He has more tricks up his sleeves as well.
Jim
Yes, Jim is smart enough to trick the simple crew of The Revenge but they're not quite clever enough to outwit Spanish Jackie, who sees right through the disguise. But as we get to know the backstory of Vico Ortiz's (The Sex Lives Of College Girls, Everything's Gonna Be Okay) character, we understand just how intelligent they are -- trained to be an assassin to exact revenge on the men who murdered their family.
Playing mute also helped the disguise. Jim has much more to them than first meets the eye, and Oluwande understands that. Hopefully, as the series progresses, there will be even more to Jim's story. He's managed to survive Spanish Jackie but did lose their nose to the nose jar.
Lucius
Lucius just seems to be Captain Bonnet's right-hand man at first, but he knows what's going on. He's willing to do or say whatever it takes for him to get by and survive. The fairly new actor, Nathan Foad, brilliantly plays Lucius as constantly plotting and planning. He'll the mutiny if necessary or get splattered with blood and wine if need be.
Lucius has survived this long in such a rough world by using his wits at every turn. He is even willing to risk his life by whispering in Blackbeard's ear to make sure his captain is happy during their treasure hunt because Lucius knows that if his captain is happy, he is kept happy.