Above: John Malkovich in “Crossbones” (Photo: NBC)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

New television drama “Crossbones,” which is filmed in Puerto Rico, made its debut on the US’ NBC channel on Friday night.

The show, which stars John Malkovich as the legendary pirate Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach.

Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said production of the show would be bringing in about $29.4 million in investment in Puerto Rico, with around 1,500 direct jobs generated.

“Puerto Rico is becoming the Hollywood of the Caribbean,” Garcia Padilla said in a statement on Facebook on Friday night.

While the show is filmed in Puerto Rico, it is set in and around the island of New Providence Bahamas.

Crossbones is the latest major film or television production to be based in Puerto Rico, which has been making a concerted effort in recent years to push more movies and series to film on the island.

Summer blockbuster 22 Jump Street, which will debut next month, also filmed portions of the film in Puerto Rico.