John Malkovich plays the legendary Blackbeard in NBC’s first action-filled trailer for its upcoming pirate-drama series Crossbones. Below, the Red and Dangerous Liaisons actor threatens, kills, and romances, not to mention downright Malkoviches the scenery, as he pressures a crafty physician (Richard Coyle) into helping him find a treasure. “I’m not the devil … I cast out the devil,” he declares.

Crossbones is written by Neil Cross (Luther, Doctor Who) and marks Malkovich’s first series-regular TV role. Expect some to draw comparisons to Starz’ Black Sails, which is also set around New Providence Island pirates wrestling over the key to a treasure.