You may know Rhys Darby from Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009) as the not-so-innate agent Murray Hewitt. We also saw him in the survival comedy Wrecked (2016-2018).

This time around, he's taking the lead, starring in the period comedy Our Flag Means Death, reports Empire Online. The story is based in 1717, revolving around a man named Stede Bonnet. Bonnet has a midlife crisis and decides to abandon his life as he knows it to become a pirate.

We should mention, it's based on a true story...

The actual Bonnet was a successful farmer on the island of Barbados, who was born into a wealthy English family. Disenchanted with life on land, Bonnet purchased a sailing vessel, naming it Revenge. Because of his status, he was referred to as "The Gentleman Pirate." While he sounds like an amateur, he did have a run-in with the notorious Blackbeard and they even did some pirating together.

Bonnet wore fine clothing and a powdered wig, but even so, he was a criminal. The Smithsonian Magazine provides a biography on how he went from wealthy landowner to villain at sea, explaining that Stede Bonnet had no knowledge of seafaring, and had only ever sailed only as a passenger. Moreover, he had no apparent reason to rage against the establishment.

Darby will be reuniting with Flight of the Conchords director Taika Waititi, who will direct the pilot episode.

While it's in the early stages, Our Flag Means Death will eventually be available for streaming via HBO Max.

Are you a fan of Rhys Darby's work?