CBS introduced the 16 pirates who will compete in Pirate Master, the new reality-based series from Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Burnett, when the show premieres Thursday, May 31 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Australian actor Cameron Daddo will serve as host.
Pirate Master will send 16 modern-day pirates on a high seas adventure where they will live as buccaneers and travel around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million. Over the course of 33 days, these pirates will live aboard a massive 179 foot, square-rigged barque which carries 12,500 square feet of sail.
Each week, the pirates will embark on extraordinary expeditions where they will decipher clues along the way in search of missing treasure. Gold coins -- real money which the pirates may take with them beyond the show -- will be awarded after each expedition, but only to some. The gold will play a key role as pirates strike deals with each other or plead for long-term security. In addition to claiming the lion's share of the week's riches, one pirate will become the captain of the ship and will assign roles and chores to the remaining crew members, setting the tone for either law and order or betrayal and sabotage, which could lead to mutiny by the crew.
Each episode will conclude on the ship at Pirate's Court, a lively gathering of public speaking and judgment where one individual will be eliminated and "cut adrift." In the end, one will be the first to find the largest booty, worth $500,000, and claim the title of "Pirate Master."
The pirates competing in Pirate Master (in alphabetical order) are:
CHRISTA DeANGELO
29
Tamaqua, Pa.
Ex-Military
BEN FAGAN
23
Charleston, SC
Musician
LOUIE FRASE
43
Fishing Creek, Md. (originally from Park Ridge, Ill.)
Marina Owner
KENDRA GUFFEY
38
Los Angeles (originally from Anchorage, Alaska)
Dive Master
JAY HATKOW
37
Detroit
Automotive Parts Salesman
AZMYTH KAMINSKI
26
Los Angeles (originally Mt. Vernon, Wash.)
Music Producer
CHERYL KOSEWICZ
35
Sparks, Nev. (originally from Grand Couler, Wash.)
District Attorney
JOHN LAKNESS
25
Carlisle, Mass.
Scientist/Chippendale Dancer
JOCELYN "JOY" MCELVEEN
21
West Columbia, S.C.
Receptionist
ELICIA "JUPITER" MENDOZA
30
Los Angeles (originally from Santa Rosa, Calif.)
Bartender
JOE DON "J.D." MORTON
36
Ft. Wainwright, Alaska (originally from Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Smokejumper
NESSA NEMIR
29
Berkeley, Calif. (originally from Oakland, Calif.)
Make-Up Artist
CHRISTIAN OKOYE
45
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (originally from Enugu, Nigeria)
Former NFL Player
LAUREL SCHMIDT
21
Los Angeles (originally Detroit)
Glass Blower
ALEXIS SHUBIN
26
Laguna Beach, Calif. (originally from Fountain Valley, Calif.)
Fashion Publicist
SEAN TWOMEY
27
Venice, Calif. (originally from Pensacola, Fla.)
Bartender