Black Sails features prominent LGBTQ+ characters whose relationships are depicted with depth, dignity, and complexity. While some characters face tragic outcomes due to societal prejudice, the narrative consistently affirms the worth of their identities and loves, framing external forces as the source of conflict rather than the relationships themselves. The overall portrayal is supportive and validating.

The show features Anne Bonny, a pirate, who frequently engages in and wins close-quarters physical fights against multiple male opponents using melee weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Her combat prowess is a consistent element of her character.

Black Sails frequently portrays Christianity as a tool for hypocrisy, oppression, and the justification of violence by colonial powers and corrupt individuals. The narrative often exposes the disconnect between professed faith and the brutal actions of those claiming religious authority, highlighting institutional corruption rather than individual piety.

Judaism is depicted through a resilient and tight-knit community, often facing prejudice, whose members are portrayed with dignity and strength. The narrative offers a sympathetic view of their struggles and cultural identity.