John Malkovich plays Blackbeard in NBC’s Crossbones, which starts later this month.

What can we expect?

NBCs new pirate dramaCrossbonesis being billed as the story of Blackbeard.

But Im seeing a lot more here, and hoping for a really provocative drama.

And then theres John Malkovich.

But hes known for his elegance as well.

Why is this guy playing the notoriously brutal Blackbeard?

The answer lies in the source material.

Woodard claims that the pirates were freedom fighters, and did indeed have a nation of their own.

What if it had been founded by pirates?

Thats part of the intriguing story thatCrossbones: The Legend of Blackbeardoffers us.

In fact, the same theory inspired my own fiction series,The Pirate Empire.

So we may get to see that the pirates are trying to build a country.

And in the meantime, Blackbeard is chasing a longitudinal chronometer.

What on earth is that?

A real gadget that permitted navigators to tell precisely where on earth they were.

Ill bet that the object in the series looks nothing like the historical object.

But the important thing is the quest.

Who has the chronometer?

What will Blackbeard do to get it?

This is the kind of exciting, immediate story that can keep a plot moving.

Neil (Cross,Crossboneswriter and executive producer) is a very clever writer.

Hes very clever about doing interaction and behavior.

Neil is very good at characterization.

Thats a major accomplishment with over-the-top characters like Blackbeard in the mix.

Can they pull it off?

Im looking forward to some chases, some intrigue, and a lot of colorful characters.

In short, Im betting yes.

Crossbones: The Legend of Blackbeardwill air on NBC.

It premieres on Friday, May 30th at 10 pm EST.

Our very own Robert Bernstein did predict that 2014 would be theyear of the pirate, didnt he?

WithBlack Sailsand nowCrossbonesthrown into the mix, he very well mightve been right.

TS Rhodes is the author ofThe Pirate Empireseries.

AndGoogle+, if thats your thing!