'Crusoe' Gets Ready to Make Way

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

We've already had one of my all-time favorite films turned into a television series.

Now, my love of and obsession with the Pirates of the Caribbean film series gets a weekly indulgence thanks to the new prime time period piece drama, Crusoe, which gets ready to make way tonight with a two-hour series premiere beginning at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Now, if Showtime's The Tudors is any indication, people have proven to be interested in watching period piece dramas in prime time, particularly when they are well-written, well-acted and well-done. This show boasts a solid cast, serious adventure, romance and intrigue. I'm hoping Crusoe is given more than three weeks to prove itself ('cause we know how apt networks are to jump on the Cancel button with new series ... ugh).

Count this television viewer in the tree house.

About the Show (from NBC):

The drama explores the perils and challenges facing the world’s most famous castaway as Crusoe (Philip Winchester, "Flyboys," "Thunderbirds") and his native friend Friday (Tongayi Chirisa) struggle to survive on a desert island with little more than their wits. Overcoming marauding militias, hungry cannibals, wild cats, starvation and apocalyptic lightning storms, Crusoe dreams of the day he will be reunited with his beloved family.

Allowed to develop away from the bonds of 17th Century life, Crusoe builds a breathtaking and altogether modern home high up in the trees to elude his enemies. Friday and Crusoe’s deep friendship is pushed to the limit as opportunities to escape their island paradise, and the people they meet there, consistently challenge them to choose between loyalty and freedom.

As the series develops, the love story between Crusoe and his wife Susannah (Anna Walton, "The Mutant Chronicles," "Hell Boy II: The Golden Army") left behind in England will unfold from meeting to marriage, as will his relationship with his mentor and patron, the mysterious Jeremiah Blackthorn (Sam Neill, "The Tudors," "Jurassic Park").

Sounds awfully good to me. Check out these preview clips:

"World's Apart"




"Under Seige"




"A Child's Unhappy Day"




And if all that doesn't spark your interest, head on over to NBC's Official Crusoe Web site for the inside scoop on the series. The site is awfully cool - and that's not just the Pirates fangirl in me talking.

Swear.

Tune in for the premiere of Crusoe tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC.