Set in the morally grey world of mid 19th-century privateering, this pirate comedy podcast follows a small crew in the Caribbean, operating at the edge of legality. Written, produced by and starring Ant McGinley and Damien St John, the award-winning team behind Wrestling With the Champ, the series centres on Captain Jim Thornfield and First Mate Bill Cartwright who must navigate imperial politics and shifting loyalties under the watchful gaze of Governor Fitzpatrick(Sam Thomas, Ramon Fear's Terror Tapes).
Although historical in setting, Pirate Material uses a modern comic voice to explore power, complicity and self-interest in morally grey areas which, given today's climate, feels highly relevant. Pirate Material was initially commissioned as a four-part series, which reflects Podomedy’s focus on developing narrative-led comedy rather than open-ended talk formats.
Damien St John, CEO of Podomedy, said:
“Pirate Material has been on our slate for a while and it is exactly the kind of fun we want to have. We go beyond the golden age of pirates, no pieces of eight, no cliché characters or sunken treasure, because there's lots of that already out there. Pirate Material is the last hurrah for privateering, with fierce competition from across the globe, That means creaking wooden boats are out, and heavy metal warships are in. It's the end of pirate life as we know it".
This pirate comedy podcast is aimed at adults aged 25–49 who enjoy serialised storytelling and listeners who prefer podcasts they can follow and binge. Fans of British comedy and radio plays will feel right at home on the high seas.
Pirate Material is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox and Audible.
Pirate Material
Longlist, Best Comedy, British Podcast Awards 2026
In 1846, Britain hired two pirates to do its dirtiest work at sea. Captain Jim Thornfield wants respectability. Bill Cartwright wants rum and a quiet life. Together, they’re privateers in the Caribbean, long after piracy’s golden age, where every mission seems to end in violence, diplomatic disaster or both.
Pirate Material is a scripted British comedy adventure starring Ant McGinley and Damien St John, the award-winning creators of Wrestling With the Champ.
Best Comedy podcast longlist at the 2026 British Podcast Awards.
Buy the official Pirate Material t-shirt now from Teemill: https://podomedy.teemill.com/collection/pirate-material/
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