Parents' Guide to Pirates: Behind the Legends

TV Educational 2024
Pirates: Behind the Legends: A shot of a dark pirate ship against a blue sky

Common Sense Media Review

Stephanie Morgan By Stephanie Morgan , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Solid series deglamorizes famous pirate lore; violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

Each episode of PIRATES: BEHIND THE LEGENDS examines the life of a different historical pirate, providing in-depth accounts of their actions and the world they operated in. The show details the geopolitics, wars, and social structures that influenced piracy, offering a deeper look into the true history behind the myths.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

History buffs will appreciate this treasure trove of knowledge about famous pirates and their impact on world history. Pirates: Beyond the Legends provides rich historical context, covering not only piracy but also broader issues such as slavery, colonialism, and naval warfare. Re-enactments bring the stories to life, though the overall tone leans more toward a history lesson than an action-packed drama. For those looking for an accurate and educational deep dive into piracy, the series is an engaging and well-researched watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how any pirates were criminals, but some were also seen as rebels fighting against oppressive governments. How do you think history shapes our view of right and wrong? Who gets to write our histories and why does it matter?

  • The series discusses the history of slavery and the treatment of sailors. Why is it important to learn about the darker parts of history?

  • Ask children what surprised them most about the real history of pirates. How does this compare to the way they are portrayed in movies and books?

TV Details

  • Premiere date : June 5, 2024
  • Cast : Billy Boyd
  • Genre : Educational
  • TV rating : TV-14
  • Last updated : March 13, 2025

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Pirates: Behind the Legends: A shot of a dark pirate ship against a blue sky

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