In the world of television shows, sometimes it is the props that steal the spotlight, outshining even the aspiring actors. With TV show budgets often more modest compared to mega movies, not everything can be created from scratch. That is why shows like Doctor Who, Two and a Half Men, Outlander, and House of the Dragons have all taken recycling to heart, repurposing props for various scenes.

What is truly surprising is that the Iron Throne featured in the Game of Thrones prequel once had a role in The Witcher’s world. The Iron Throne, famous for its sword embellishments, is not the only prop being resourcefully reused. Netflix’s One Piece is also getting in on the act.

One Piece Netflix adaptation sets sail on cost-cutting

For many, many years, One Piece has been a beloved manga and anime series. But now, after four years of dedicated work, the live-action adaptation is finally causing quite a sensation. This epic production predominantly took place in South Africa, and there is an interesting tidbit about how they achieved those stunning sea adventures. The production team was fortunate enough to inherit three ships from the famous historical pirate drama, Black Sails. These ships, which once sailed under the Starz banner, have found new life in One Piece.

In a recent interview with a YouTube channel, Nicole Hirsch Whitaker, the cinematographer of the show, spilled some fascinating beans. She shared, “The unusual thing about this was these were ships that had been built for another show — that was a very different show — called Black Sails,” Quite the unexpected twist, right? But the surprises did not stop there. Whitaker went on to reveal a rather intriguing tidbit – not a single scene was filmed out in the vast, open ocean. Instead, the show’s creators opted for a creative solution. They used three colossal studio-based tanks as their aquatic backdrop.

Black Sails did not just share its ships with One Piece, but also set sail for another magnificent show.

Black Sails – A savior for Outlander?

Outlander fans were in for a surprise when executive producer Ron Moore revealed that the show shared sets and props with the Starz series Black Sails. In an effort to maintain authenticity, Outlander spent months filming on the Black Sails sets in South Africa and received assistance from the Black Sails crew. This crossover delighted fans of both shows and hinted at an exciting nautical adventure in Outlander Season 3 as it takes a detour to the Caribbean aboard a pirate ship.

The production crew’s cost-effective solution involved using the meticulously crafted ship from Black Sails, The Walrus, for a significant part of Outlander Season 3. While it could not float, the land-based prop provided an authentic 18th-century Caribbean setting for the show, making it a surprising and thrilling connection between the two series.

Did you notice the three shared ships in One Piece? Let us know in the comments below.