Summary
- OFMD Season 2 frustrated many fans with the death of its major character, Izzy Hands.
- Following the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Izzy's actor Con O'Neill spoke to TV Insider about the tragic twist.
- He shared that he was sad to leave the show, but had full faith in creator David Jenkins and asked fans to do the same.
- O'Neill added that he hopes OFMD will be renewed for another final season with or without Izzy's return.
Our Flag Means Death (OFMD) Season 2 has become one of the best things that had ever happened to fans of a queer pirate romance. But it also delivered one of the biggest blows to their hearts when the finale featured the death of everyone's favorite Izzy Hands, Blackbeard's first mate, who had gone through a brilliant growth spurt this season.
It's been almost a full month since the finale aired, but fans are still in the early stages of grieving the loss of the beloved character. Denial and anger are being expressed by fans all over social media. And showrunner David Jenkins often finds himself on the receiving end of this wave.
The actor who played Izzy, Con O'Neill, however, fully trusts the creator and asks fans to do the same.
Con O'Neill has accepted his character's death
The actor spoke with TV Insider following the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike and shared his own thoughts on the end of Izzy's arc. O'Neill said he was not surprised by the dark twist, though it did sadden him.
'I was upset because I loved playing [Izzy], but at the same time, I think David knows what he's doing, and we are all here because of David Jenkins, first and foremost,' the actor said. 'So I got it. I made him pay for dinner, but I got it nonetheless. And then it was just a matter of honoring what they'd written.'
O'Neill added that the things Izzy went through in Season 2 were both a challenge for him as an actor and an enormous pleasure to work with. The moment of death and the storyline that led up to it was a fitting end for his character. Izzy died defending his family.
'If you're going to go out, go out like that,' he said.
Con O'Neill's message to the fans
At the same time, the actor understands the struggles of the fandom as they mourn the loss. And he asks them to trust the showrunner with his creative decisions.
'I have nothing but love, respect, and faith in David Jenkins. Trust him. He knows what he's doing. None of this was taken lightly. Trust David Jenkins,' O'Neill said when asked to share a message with grieving fans.
Con O'Neill addresses Season 3 rumors
Even though Izzy's death looked and felt real and final, fans are still clinging to the tiniest threats and hoping for the miraculous return of the character, perhaps in the form of a ghost or in flashbacks.
When asked about these speculations, Con O'Neill didn't close the door on his comeback, preferring to address a much bigger issue hanging over the show right now. OFMD has not yet been renewed for the third and final season that Jenkins has been planning all along.
'I know David always wanted a Season 3. I would be heartbroken for the show if he didn't get a Season 3 because it deserves it. It's an important show,' O'Neill said. 'If Izzy's involved, and if he isn't, I still think it's a really important show and it should be given its send-off season.'
Well, we hope that Max listens to the actor and the show's massive fandom and greenlights OFMD Season 3 soon. Then we can talk about Izzy's comeback, right?
Source: TV Insider.