David Oyelowo, Hayley Atwell, and Jack Huston Set Sail in New TREASURE ISLAND Series for MGM+ and Paramount+
Avast, movie fans! A brand-new take on Treasure Island is officially heading to the small screen, and this one comes loaded with serious talent.
MGM+ in the U.S. and Paramount+ in the U.K. and Ireland have ordered a six-part series inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary pirate tale, and it’s bringing a great cast along for the ride.
This isn’t just another dusty retelling. It’s a coming-of-age adventure packed with shifting alliances, revolution-era tension, and a whole lot of danger on the open sea.
Leading the charge is David Oyelowo (Selma, Silo), stepping into the role of the iconic Long John Silver, the peg-legged pirate who has haunted readers’ imaginations for over a century.
Joining him is Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning) as Bess Hawkins, and Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire, Day of the Fight) as Aaron Graham.
The ensemble also includes Tomer Capone (The Boys, Fauda) as Billy Bones and Tom Sweet (Great Expectations, The Childhood of a Leader) as Jim Hawkins.
The series, which began shooting this month, centers on Jim Hawkins’ transformation from sheltered teenager to hardened young pirate. When Jim gets his hands on a legendary treasure map, his mother Bess makes a sharp move that leaves him holding critical information, putting both their lives on the line.
Once aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bess find themselves caught between Long John Silver, who is equal parts charming and terrifying, and Aaron Graham, a polished but deeply duplicitous British agent. Growing up isn’t optional when every decision could mean survival or death.
Set across the Atlantic, in a Caribbean simmering on the edge of revolution, and on the nightmarish Skeleton Island, the story “tracks Jim as he confronts a world far more complex and dangerous than he ever imagined, where resilience, loyalty and identity are tested – and fortune is the prize.”
Paramount+ deputy chief content officer U.K. Sebastian Cardwell shared his excitement for the new adaptation, saying, “‘Treasure Island’ is a bold and atmospheric reimagining of a story that has captivated audiences for generations.
“This adaptation brings fresh emotional depth and a striking contemporary edge to Stevenson’s classic. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Playground and MGM+ to bring this richly cinematic adventure to audiences in the UK and Ireland, the US and beyond.”
Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, added, “This thrilling new adaptation of Stevenson’s classic adventure ‘Treasure Island’ is a perfect expression of the MGM+ brand.
“It is a classic Hollywood storytelling crafted for a contemporary audience, brought to life with an extraordinary ensemble cast led by David Oyelowo, Hayley Atwell, Jack Huston, Tomer Capone, and Tom Sweet.”
The project was created for television by Robert Murphy (Vera, Shetland) and is being directed by Jeremy Lovering (Slow Horses, The One), William McGregor (The Buccaneers, Lockwood & Co., His Dark Materials), and Paul Walker (Shameless, Riviera, Hunting Alice Bell), with Mark Hedges producing.
Playground’s joint Managing Directors Stern and Huff said, “Treasure Island is an epic, high-stakes adventure with timeless themes of conquest, greed, and coming of age. Robert Murphy has written something that is, in equal measure, surprising, entertaining, and true to the original novel.
“The extraordinary cast and crew who have joined us are a testament to his brilliant scripts and to the powerful hold the original story has had on generations of readers. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners at MGM+, Paramount+, and Fifth Season for their support of our vision for the series.”
Kate Laffey, SVP acquisitions at Fifth Season, added, “‘Treasure Island’ takes a story beloved by international audiences and delivers a fresh and inventive series that stays close to the iconic tale at its heart.
“We’re excited to partner with celebrated creative powerhouse Playground for the first time on a visually and emotionally compelling narrative anchored by an acclaimed ensemble cast that gives this thrilling escapade through the seas huge global appeal.”
The series will premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K. and Ireland and on MGM+ in the United States.
There’s something timeless about pirates, buried treasure, and morally complicated rogues like Long John Silver. With this cast and creative team, this new Treasure Island could deliver a seriously cool spin on a classic adventure. Time to start charting that course.
Source: Variety