The bald head and white beard of John Malkovich in the above image doesn't exactly scream "the dread pirate Blackbeard," but that's exactly the role he'll take on in the new NBC series, Crossbones.  For fans of Malkovich's quirks and particular brand of humor, this first trailer should be a delight as it shows the veteran chewing scenery with zeal.  For those who aren't quite as fond of Malkovich (myself included), then this first look acts as more of a deterrent than an enticement.  That's a shame, since the rest of the cast - which includes Richard Coyle, Tracy Ifeachor, and Yasmine Al Massri - appears to turn in a worth-watching performance.

Hit the jump to watch the first trailer for NBC's Crossbones, which premieres Friday, May 30th at 10/9c.

Check out the first Crossbones trailer, followed by the series' synopsis:

Synopsis:

It's 1715 on the Bahamian island of Santa Campana, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard (John Malkovich), reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown and part marauder's paradise, this is a place like no other on Earth - and a mounting threat to international commerce.

Teach/Blackbeard has set his sights on the world's first longitude chronometer, a device that will change society, sea-trade and global business. In a massive attack on an English vessel, Blackbeard attempts to steal the device; however, Tom Lowe, an English spy working undercover as the ship's surgeon, destroys the chronometer before it can fall into his hands. Taken as prisoner to Santa Campana Island, Lowe must find a way to reassemble the precious device, all while trying to unfold Blackbeard's plan... a plan that includes a threat to the English throne even worse than pirates.

From the award-winning creator of "Luther," Neil Cross, and award-winning executive producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald ("Gladiator," "Men in Black") comes an extraordinary action adventure with an unexpected moral center where one can't be sure whether the pirates or the British crown are the villains. One-hour drama.