House’s Hugh Laurie May Set Sail with NBC's Pirate Drama Crossbones

Arrrrr you ready to see Hugh Laurie as a pirate?

The House star is in negotiations to star as the legendary Blackbeard in NBC's pirate series Crossbones, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Crossbones, which NBC picked up for a 10-episode first season back in May, comes from Luthercreator Neil Cross and is based on Colin Woodard's book The Republic of Pirates. The series will take place in 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence where Blackbeard leads a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors.

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The role would mark Laurie's return to prime time following the end of House's eight-season tenure last May. Laurie earned two Golden Globe awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards and six Emmy nominations for his role as the acerbic doc. Although we were hoping the British actor might wind up on a gritty cable drama, playing a pirate might allow Laurie room to dive into his comedic background as well as get more into the action after eight years of playing a limping leading man.

Also, if Crossbones is going the Pirates of the Caribbean route, we think Laurie would look darn good with eyeliner a la Johnny Depp.

Do you think Laurie would make a good pirate? Or should he jump ship?