I knew my character was going to be the queer one. Jim is a Latine person who uses the pronouns "they" and "met", just like Ortiz. Our Flag Means Death has more than one queer character. One of the queers was a part of an expansively queer cast. With a small budget and a quick detour into a historical high-seas romance, writer-director David Jenkins created a queer workplace comedy that took a quick detour into a historical high-seas romance. The romantic pillar of the show was the relationship between Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach, but they were not the only pair to get a romance. In addition to Jim and their love interest, there were other people who had relationships with Black Pete, Nathan Foad, and David Fane. I subscribed to the newsletter of a gay man who was self-hating when I watched the first season. I asked them how it feels to be a part of something that has become so popular. They have been a part of the local queer scene in Los Angeles for a long time, and now they go to a show and are recognized. The internet was flooded with fanart, fanfiction, and meta after the release of Our Flag Means Death. The news that the show would return for a second season was announced on the first day of Pride month, and it was thanks to the use of the #RenewOurFlagMeansDeath slogan. The show is a phenomenon. Jim is receiving a lot of love, not just because of their character, but also because of their own. Ortiz has made TikToks sound like cosplaying as characters and has interacted with their fans at every level. They're not just an actor, they're also a fan. It is definitely a bit of an adjustment, but it is so beautiful. Most people who approach me are younger queer people or younger Latine people who are excited to see someone like them on screen. He is correct. There are very few nonbinary actors acting in roles that reflect their heritage and identity. For a long time, not held space for trans people on television has been given by the fact that Jim is a significant stitch in a larger mosaic of television representation. Only for a second. Nothing seems to catch up to the man who talks a mile a minute with a smile. Instead, they shook their heads and smiled. Our Flag Means Death is a show about characters being queer, but it is at its core a queer show. It explores queerness without being explicitly about the act of queerness, and without using sterile textbook explanations that include a narrative record scratch as people explain, in detail, that they identify as bisexual. Our Flag Means Death offers a considered alternative that feels easy because sometimes it is. Our flag means death introduces a lot of these themes and subjects in a way that's subtle, that's not in your face. You take a journey with these characters, and then all of a sudden you're falling in love with them. There is a campy, queer energy to the plot and dialogue in the first two or three episodes. The queerness of Jim and the others makes sense because they aren't outliers. The understanding of the show is dependent on each character. It's a romance about rejecting what people think of you in order to live in your truth. That is very, very queer. I was curious about how Jim was created, and if they were supposed to be non-binary. The writer's room had three individuals on staff. When there are people in a writer's room who understand trans and gender non-conforming identities in a personal, experiential way, you will have people advocating for that character behind the scenes. I'm used to being the only non-binary person on set. It becomes clear that there isn't a lot of care put into any single nonbinary character when the production hires one trans writer or one trans actor. It shouldn't be a part of it. They shrug. What is the alternative to speaking up? A bad character is a stereotype. They are working on setting better boundaries, but they enjoy having these conversations with people. At this point in the interview, they mentioned Con O , and I immediately filed away my details. The first time the two met was for a fight rehearsal. I had glue in my hair. Having a good time.
Leyva plays Jim's mother-figure who adopts them after the death of her husband. It was important for people like us, Caribbean Latines, to see that connection on screen. You don't see a lot of characters like this.
Jim is the only character besides the main leads who gets a chance to explore their back story in the first season. There is an entire episode dedicated to Jim going back to their roots and exploring expectations, trauma, and the failures of the revenge fantasy. The reason for this could be because of the writers. They knew they had a chance to push trans representation into a new space, without sacrificing character development, or dismissing their own heritage.
It is hard to know how to end this interview. I wish I had just used my imagination, as Ortiz is an eccentric who tells us they go to Ren Faires dressed as Izzy Hands, who does drag under the name Vico Suave. It could have been so great, I laughed, you'll never live that one down. It's easy to see why people like Jim; in real life, he's just as charismatic as the character he plays.
I like a classic. What's next? I want to know. I was hoping that they would hint at the second season of Our Flag Means Death, but they didn't. I pivot. What about a dream role? What would they like to do?
It's as if we've flipped a switch. Prepare for hyperspeed. They got into sword fighting because they wanted to be Jedi. They became vegetarian for the same reason.
They want to be Jedi. I swear that Ortiz has not breathed since we started talking about Star Wars. Excuse me?
They paused only for a second to get ready to go. What is happening? Where are we with this? I can. It's bullshit.
It is bullshit. They said, "If you have the power to make that happen for me, put me in Jedi robes and kiss in space." With the support of thousands of Jim stans, and without any apologies or reservations, Ortiz is stepping into their power and into the spotlight. Maybe Star Wars is ready for real representation of queer people on screen, beyond the pages of its ancillary material. A lot of shows are. Maybe Vico is the one to do it. They could make queer representation on-screen more inclusive. They have done it before.
The first season of Our Flag Means Death is now available to watch.
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