SPOILERS ALERT
Black Sails does address the minority representation issues better than many Hollywood films and mainstream tv series, yet it does so gracefully. The characters aren't token, unlike in most cases, and the issues rise up naturally, as if they aren't present to tick the boxes. Which made me wonder - is it because these issues are easier to represent in period drama, or is it because the characters were openly abused back then, or are the scriptwriters and directors just good at their storytelling?
Women in Black Sails
Eleanor Guthrie (played by Hannah New)
Eleanor is a fictional character and is one of the most prominent ones in the series. Born in England, she moved to Nassau as a child. At the age of 17 she took over from her father, the wealthiest black marketeer in the port, as became the chief supplier and the most influential person in Nassau. She's clever, cunning, determined and strong willed - despite her feminine looks, she is tough. Eleanor is one of the first characters we are introduced to - and makes quite an impression from the start. Despite the openly feminist approach to her character, she fits in within the world really well - she adopts the masculine traits, because she has to in her circumstances, and she is clearly in touch with that side of her personality. There's a major plot twist and character development towards the end of the series - in the last season Eleanor seems to be almost a different person, conforming to the expected feminine behavior and leaving behind her feisty attitude.
Anne Bonny (played by Clara Paget)
Can't talk about strong females in Black Sails and not mention Anne Bonny - mysterious, cold-blooded pirate whose character is actually based on the real person. Like her historical counterpart, she was well-respected among the pirates and seen as no less than their equal - in the time when women had a very clear place in society. As a 13 year old girl, she was married off to a man who let his colleagues rape her - until one day a pirate saw her husband mistreating her and slit his throat. That pirate was Jack Rackham - and from that day on they'd worked together as a team. Although a blunt, short-tempered and merciless murderer, throughout the series she shows deep loyalty and compassion for both her lovers - Jack and Max.
Max (played by Jessica Parker Kennedy)
Speaking of lovers and women. Max is a cunning and ambitious prostitute who is both Eleanor's and then Anne's lover - and becomes one of the most influential people in Nassau after Eleanor loses her grip on the pirates eventually. She's the opposite of Anne Bonny because she achieves her goals not through physical strength and intimidation, but, like any classic femme fatale, with her charm. An observant manipulator, she is careful and cold-blooded with the power she possesses - unlike Eleanor, whose temper is as destructive as it is powerful.
By the way, Max is probably the person who addresses all of the representation problems in one shot - a bisexual mixed raced woman hitting on the nail the femme fatale stereotype without becoming a caricature of herself. Max is a brilliant character and plays a crucial role in the plot and in relation to everyone else in the series... so, triple win.
Race in Black Sails
Madi (portrayed by Zethu Dlomo)
Another figure who is both a strong woman and someone directly addressing racism and slavery is Madi - John Silver's lover and the leader of escaped slaves, who hide from both pirates and colonizers on Maroon Island. Although both of her parents were slaves, she herself grew up as a free woman - and has no intention of changing that for herself and her people. She grew up in matriarchal society led by her mother, somewhat estranged from her father who remained in Nassau and provided supplies for them in secret. She leads her people into battles alongside Captain Flint eventually because she believes in the war for a better, freer future for everyone - both outlaws and former slaves alike.
Mr. Scott (portrayed by Hakeem Kae-Kazim)
One of the most fascinating and often underrated characters in the series is actually Madi's character and Eleanor's right hand - Mr. Scott. What's incredible about him is that he's always present - yet no one actually pays attention until it's revealed that he is not only a great businessman, but also a clever man with a double life. Having endured slavery, he uses his position to send his wife and daughter away to Maroon Island and acts as a fellow black-marketeer by Gurthry's side and smuggles goods to send to his family. It is a shock to everyone - both the characters and perhaps the viewers, when the truth is revealed. And he actually addresses it: black people were not 'important' enough to be paid attention to back then, they were just servants, helpers, useful tools on the white person's path to wealth and power. But while those white people fought each other, he and his family built a whole community, independent of their former owners - and it becomes a powerful ally or enemy, depending on which side of the barricades you end up.
Homosexuality in Black Sails
Captain Flint (portrayed by Toby Stephens)
Oh boy. It is not everyday that you are presented with the main hero (or rather - antihero) - a masculine, fearless, physically strong and violent, ruthless and unstoppable... a bisexual man. The whole story is driven by his love for a married couple - for both wife and husband in equal measure, if not more for Thomas than his wife.
It is the least stereotypical gay character I've seen so far on screen - played so brilliantly, and his sexuality weaved so well into the story and character arc, that it's incredible how Flint remained unnoticed by Hollywood. That's the kind of representation that lacks in action films and tv series - a man or a woman developing strong feelings for another man or a woman. Love is the driving force for many stories, whether it is romance, action, drama, fantasy etc. - and Black Sails is a masterclass in introducing minorities into the plot without shoving this fact into the viewers' faces. Flint's sexuality makes so much sense and is so natural that the big reveal doesn't really surprise anyone - and that's what writing good minority characters looks like.
And, of course, as mentioned above, there are several lesbian/bisexual relationships happening involving some of the women. It is a more widely 'accepted' thing in mainstream films and television, however, to see two women having sex - but it does deserve praise how unashamed the series is of showing it. It's a matter of fact, not a scandal - that's how the show represents anything or anyone that doesn't conform to traditions and 'norms' imposed by society - especially bearing in mind what times these characters lived in.