NBC orders Blackbeard adventure series

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NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- NBC says it has ordered a new pirate action-adventure series from Neil Cross, the creator of the contemporary British police drama, "Luther."

Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said production on the 10-episode series will begin in the fall. It is being produced by Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who previously collaborated on "Gladiator," "Men in Black" and "The Ring."

"It's 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard, reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder's paradise, this is a place like no other on earth -- and a mounting threat to international commerce," a synopsis released Monday said.

"To gain control of this fearsome society, Tom Lowe, a highly skilled undercover assassin, is sent to the pirates' haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard. But the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple."

No casting has been announced yet.