The Buccaneers season two
If you’re experiencing withdrawal due to the dearth of anachronistic historical dramas on the small screen, The Buccaneers is here to fill the Bridgerton-shaped hole in your life. The series, which follows New York society girls Nan, Lizzy, Ginny, Conchita and Mabel on their pursuit of love in 1870s London, is back.
The first season ended with Nan (Kristine Froseth) marrying Theo (Guy Remmers) to protect her sister from her abusive husband, and finding out that Patti (Christina Hendricks) isn’t her biological mother. For its second outing, The Buccaneers swaps some of the frivolity for emotional storytelling. Nan is conflicted over her new marriage and left pining for the man she really loves, Guy (Matthew Broome). The most notable new addition to the series is Leighton Meester, whose presence as the mysterious Nell looms large. Meester makes an immediate, scene-stealing impact (a confrontation with Patti in a dining hall is the highlight of the first episode).
Mabel (Josie Totah) and Honoria’s (Mia Threapleton) romance is still going strong, though they have to hide it from the prying eyes of busybody relatives. Nevertheless, their relationship is the healthiest among the central characters. Meanwhile, Conchita adopts somewhat of a Henry Higgins role, teaching new-money Americans about high society etiquette.
There’s much to be enjoyed here for fans of the pop version of the traditional period drama. The setting is suitably grand, and there are moments of beautifully lush scenery, giving the series a dreamy aesthetic that’s easy on the eye.
Yet, for all its satiation of bodice-ripping alternative history tropes, The Buccaneers is noticeably lacking in some areas. Despite its wealth of characters, it dedicates a disproportionate amount of space to Nan and Theo. While the series does deliver what historical drama aficionados have come to expect – the steamy trysts, Pinterest-worthy regalia and idyllic backdrop – there simply isn’t adequate screen time to fully utilise the talented cast. There’s also a distracting, inconsistent use of music, flitting between a soaring orchestral score and contemporary pop bangers.
That being said, the show doesn’t profess to be anything other than a fun, binge-worthy excursion. With romps, scandal and, of course, exquisite period gowns, The Buccaneers is sure to delight devotees of costume comfort viewing.
Antonia Georgiou
The Buccaneers season two is released on Apple TV+ on 18th June 2025.
Watch the trailer for The Buccaneers season two here:
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