Crossbones, NBC’s new drama series about pirates, will be premiering Friday featuring actor John Malkovich as the famous pirate Blackbeard.

The show will provide plenty of suspense and great performances with its premise. Crossbones is a mash up between an espionage/political thriller and pirate adventure with depth.

It’s 1729 and Tom Lowe, played by Richard Coyle (Coupling), is a British spy who poses as a doctor to board a ship carrying a revolutionary navigational device. The new technological device can change the dynamics of the seas and potentially put pirates out of business for good. Blackbeard’s crew attacks the ship and takes Lowe into custody.

What the crew does not know is that Lowe is also on a mission to kill Blackbeard as well. A rather symbiotic relationship develops between Blackbeard and Tom with each needing the other just enough to not be able to kill each other.

The series gives an authentic feel to the pirates, especially the character of Blackbeard. Crossbones is created by Neil Cross whose past television works include the crime drama Luther and the sci-fi series Doctor Who.

Malkovich seems perfect as the fearsome pirate with psychopathic tendencies. Blackbeard in Crossbones is the ruler over a nation of thieves, outlaws, and sailors. His years pirating the seas has left him quite well off financially. He has a much larger plan for all the people and land he controls though.

The setting of the show will have the viewers traveling to the Bahamian Island of New Providence. According to TV Guide, the cast and crew filmed in Puerto Rico for the nine-episode series on an abandoned U.S. naval station. The location shooting provides Crossbones with beautiful backdrops and natural lighting.

With Starz’s Black Sails premiering this season as well, it seems like pirates have made their way onto television.

Crossbones premieres Friday May 30.