Quite, see Churchill quote above. :) Seriously, professional seamen aren't the profession that comes to mind when looking for 100% straight males.

Meanwhile, I loved the comment from actress Claire Paget (who plays Anne Bonny on the show) on the reveal: "I loved it because, obviously, going along with my story line as well, it's just exploring these relationships in this time where gay and lesbian -- it wasn't defined. It still isn't. For some reason, we'd like to define it and put it in boxes nowadays. So I loved that story line and making a male do it for once. We've seen the girl-on-girl stuff and it was time to show that. And, you know, they're at sea. It's like being in the army or in the navy. Of course you're going to create these bonds. It's a generally male society, so it makes total sense. I think it's great and it's brave that they touched on that... because they're these macho guys. To show that side on television with pirates is brave. I was very proud of them for putting that in."

Toby Stephens, who plays Flint, says he was told the entire backstory from the start, and played the character with it in mind. Cue fanboy crying of "But Flint was BADASS!" Which says it all.