Richard
Chamberlain relishes villainous role in Blackbeard

Out actor Richard Chamberlain tells the Associated Press that his current role as a villain is a refreshing change from his usual heroic characters. Chamberlain plays a dangerously corrupt governor in Blackbeard, which airs on the Hallmark Channel on June 18, and he tells Associated Press, "I am a very bad guy in this, and it's great fun. Playing leading men is wonderful, but the parameters are very narrow. Character work allows you so much more freedom, and it's such a joy for me."

Another opportunity the film offered was the chance to reunite with Rachel Ward, his costar in the hit 1983 miniseries The ThornBirds. Even though the two didn't shoot any scenes together, Chamberlain says, "One of the great excitements for me in taking this job was because I knew Rachel was going to be on board. We got to see each other in Thailand where we were filming and catch up after all these years, and it was wonderful." (The Advocate)