Chamberlain Relishes Switch To Bad-Guy Role

LOS ANGELES (June 14, 2006) — Richard Chamberlain, a fan favorite playing handsome leading men such as Dr. Kildare and Father Ralph in “The Thorn Birds,” is relishing his switch to evildoer in his latest project.

Chamberlain, 72, plays a corrupt governor who will stop at nothing, including having his adopted daughter killed, to get what he wants in “Blackbeard,” a Hallmark Channel original movie airing Saturday.

“I am a very bad guy in this and it’s great fun,” he said.

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.”

“Blackbeard” reunites Chamberlain and Rachel Ward for the first time since their pairing in the acclaimed 1983 TV miniseries “The Thorn Birds.”

“One of the great excitements for me in taking this job was because I knew Rachel was going to be on board,” Chamberlain said.

However, the duo doesn’t have any scenes together.

“We got to see each other in Thailand where we were filming and catch up after all these years and it was wonderful,” he said.

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