Characters / Crossbones

Main Characters

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach

Blackbeard

Played by: John Malkovich

"Not all those unflattering legends about me are untrue."

The famous and The Dreaded pirate commodore of the seas. Thought to be dead by the world he actually retired on the island of Santa Campana. He seems to be interested in the device known as the chronometer. For what reason though, is not known.

• Big Bad: One of it looks like in this series.
• The Chessmaster: His purpose for the chronnometer and how he plays both Valentine and his people are crowning examples of this.
• Cold-Blooded Torture: While not his usual first option, he isn't afraid to threaten this.
• Fate Worse than Death: Promises to have Tom begging for death should he cross him.
• Faux Affably Evil: Never raises his voice and seems quite courteous in the way he speaks, but will gladly torture and kill to get what he wants and doesn't mind letting his captives know that.
• Hallucinations: Of his former wife, Antoinette, who is held captive by Jagger, is very much insane, and killed their young son and infant daughter.
• Old Soldier. He may be bald and his beard may now be white but he's still mighty pirate capable of holding his own and then some even against multiple opponents.
• Retired Badass: Lives pretty comfortably on an island, letting the world think he's dead. Shows signs of getting back in the game though.
• Royal Harem: Well, a pirate commodore harem, but same difference.
• Shrouded in Myth: In-universe, though he'll assure you many of the rumors are true.
• The Good King: Says himself he just wants to keep the people on the island happy.

Tom Lowe

Tom Lowe

Played by: Richard Coyle

A physician by trade, Tom is also and agent sent by the crown to protect the secrets of the chronometer, a device to easily navigate the vast oceans. However, that is only part of his mission. He is tasked with killing the long thought dead pirate Blackbeard. Things do not go as planned however and Tom must survive the island and its residents to uncover a larger conspiracy.

• Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Kate, even though she's married.
• Deadpan Snarker: Has his fair share.
• Genius Bruiser: A trained physician and skilled surgeon he can still more than hold his own in a fight.
• Guile Hero: As befits his role as spy for the Britsh.
• Nay-Theist: His comments on the subject of God hints that he may be this.
• Nerves of Steel: Got his finger tips burned with a lit candle, barely made a murmur!
• The Medic: One for the ship he was on and Blackbeard makes him one for his pirates.
• The Mole: Originally sent to the pirate camp as a straight assassin, he begins to infiltrate and become a long term spy when he realizes there is far more going on.
• You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Fully aware Blackbeard will kill him once he gets what he wants. Which is why he memorizes the key to the cipher so he'll be allowed to live.

Kate Balfour

Kate Balfour

Played by: Claire Foy

A high traitor to the crown, Kate, married to James Balfour, lives on the island as a merchant.

• Belligerent Sexual Tension: With Tom.
• Happily Married: How happy is debatable, as there is an obvious strain on the relationship.
• Skinny Dipping: Likes to go for early morning swims in the buff, though understandable as the show takes place in an era before swimwear was invented.

Selima El Sharad

Selima El Sharad

Played by: Yasmine Al Masri

Blackbeard's right hand woman and lover. She is called "The Lady of the House" by those on the island, she's never seen venturing outside...

• Love Interest: To Blackbeard.
• The Cracker: According to Blackbeard she's good at deciphering and can't let one go without solving it.
• The Dragon: Seems to be one for Blackbeard
• Trigger-Happy: Shows shades of this
• Torture Always Works: Firm believer in this trope

Charles Rider

Charles Rider

Played by: David Hoflin

• Ax-Crazy: Wields an axe to great effect during the attack on Lowe's ship.
• Bring My Red Jacket: Inverted. Blackbeard presents Charlie with a red captain's jacket. When he wounds him in the belly, he asks him why he is wearing the coat "Or is it just because it's...red?"

Nenna Ajanlekoko

Nenna Ajanlekoko

Played by: Tracy Ifeachor

• Dark Action Girl: Is the only female seen in the raid on Lowe's ship, but is more than capable of kicking the asses of multiple British soldiers.
• Faking the Dead: To escape the island with all her stolen booty, Nenna fakes her own death (including cutting off her own finger for added realism) and frames Tom for it.

Timothy Fletch

Timothy Fletch

Played by: Chris Perfetti

• Sensitive Guy and Manly Man: Is the Sensitive Guy to Lowe's Manly Man.

Recurring

William Jagger

William Jagger

Played by: Julian Sands

• Bastard In Sheep's Clothing: Appears perfectly noble and honourable at first, but kidnaps Kate and appears to be a sadist.
• Knight Templar