'House's' Hugh Laurie Near Deal to Star in NBC Pirate Drama 'Crossbones'
The "House" alum would play Blackbeard in the series from "Luther's" Neil Cross.
House star Hugh Laurie has found his next gig.
The six-time Emmy nominee is near a deal to star in NBC's action-adventure drama Crossbones, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Laurie would star as famed pirate Blackbeard in the 10-episode drama based on Colin Woodard's book The Republic of Pirates about the golden age of piracy in the 1700s.
NBC's series takes place in 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the pirate Edward Teach -- aka Blackbeard -- reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder's paradise, the island is unlike any other and presents a mounting threat to international commerce. To combat the threat, skilled undercover assassin Tom Lowe is sent to take down Blackbeard, but the closer he gets, the more enthralled with the community he becomes.
Luther creator Neil Cross is on board to write and executive produce alongside husband-and-wife duo Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald (The Kite Runner) as well as Ted Gold (Three Rivers). The drama hails from Parkes/MacDonald Productions, indie studio Georgeville Television, Reliance Entertainment/Motion Picture Capital and Universal Television.
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The casting marks Laurie's return to primetime after his eight-season run as moody doc Gregory House on Fox's House -- which, like Crossbones, also hailed from Universal Television. The role earned him those six Emmy noms as well as two Golden Globe wins and two SAG Awards.
Laurie was attached to star in MGM and Columbia Pictures' Robocop remake but dropped out in late August.
He's repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
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