Treasure Island Gets a Bold New Look as David Oyelowo Takes on Long John Silver in MGM+ Adventure

Pirates, buried treasure, questionable alliances, and a whole lot of people willing to betray each other for gold? Sounds like somebody is about to have a very bad vacation. MGM+ is heading into dangerous waters with Treasure Island, a new six-part adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure that premieres Sunday, October 11.

But don't expect a simple retelling of the story you might remember from childhood. With David Oyelowo stepping into the role of the legendary Long John Silver, Hayley Atwell taking on a considerably larger role as Bess Hawkins, and a story that digs into the politics of the 18th century, this version is looking to bring some additional weight to all that swashbuckling adventure.

And considering the number of times Hollywood has revisited Treasure Island, giving audiences something different is probably a good place to start.

David Oyelowo Is Bringing a Different Long John Silver to the Screen

Long John Silver has been portrayed by plenty of actors over the years, but Oyelowo is making history as the first Black actor to take on the character in a major screen adaptation. The casting brings a different perspective to the iconic pirate, particularly within a story set during an era shaped by colonialism, slavery, and the fight for freedom.

Oyelowo's Silver isn't simply a pirate searching for his next payday. He's a dangerous, charismatic survivor who knows how to manipulate the people around him, and his relationship with young Jim Hawkins is central to the story. There's an uneasy combination of mentorship and manipulation between them, which raises an interesting question: Is Silver teaching Jim how to survive, or preparing to use him for his own purposes?

The actor has spoken about the historical presence of Black pirates and the opportunity to explore aspects of the period that haven't always received attention in traditional pirate adventures. It's a meaningful distinction for a character who has been part of popular culture for well over a century.

Hayley Atwell's Bess Hawkins Isn't Sitting This Adventure Out

One of the biggest changes involves Jim Hawkins' mother, Bess, portrayed by Hayley Atwell. Rather than remaining on the sidelines while her son sails off into danger, Bess becomes an active participant in the hunt for Captain Flint's legendary treasure.

And honestly, dragging your mother into a dangerous pirate expedition sounds like a whole different kind of trouble.

When Jim and Bess find themselves in possession of a valuable treasure map, they quickly become targets for people who would happily eliminate anyone standing between them and a fortune. Atwell's character must rely on her intelligence and determination to keep herself and her son alive, even as their journey becomes increasingly dangerous.

That expanded mother-son relationship gives the adaptation another emotional layer. Jim isn't simply discovering the realities of the world on his own; he's navigating danger alongside a parent who is also fighting to protect him.

Gold, Greed, and a Revolution

Set in 1788, Treasure Island follows Jim Hawkins, played by Tom Sweet, as he leaves behind his sheltered existence and becomes caught in a dangerous voyage aboard the Hispaniola. The search for Captain Flint's treasure takes him across the Atlantic, where shifting allegiances make it increasingly difficult to distinguish friends from enemies.

Jack Huston plays Aaron Graham, a British revolutionary spy who sees the treasure as something far more valuable than personal wealth. Graham wants to use the fortune to challenge colonial power, putting him in direct conflict with Silver and others who have their own ambitions.

Tomer Capone also joins the cast as Billy Bones, another familiar figure from Stevenson's novel. Between ruthless pirates, political schemers, and a teenage boy who has no business trusting half the people around him, there's no shortage of trouble waiting on the high seas.

The political storyline is another way the adaptation separates itself from some earlier versions. The treasure isn't just about

getting rich; it's also a potential instrument of power in a world where fortunes can determine who gets to make the rules.

Can Treasure Island Bring Pirate Adventures Back Into the Spotlight?

There's something appealing about a proper pirate adventure that doesn't require superheroes, multiverses, or an elaborate cinematic universe to get audiences invested. Give us a mysterious map, a dangerous voyage, a few characters who can't be trusted, and enough tension to keep everyone guessing about who will make it out alive.

Of course, Treasure Island has some big shoes to fill. Stevenson's story has inspired countless adaptations, and Long John Silver remains one of fiction's most recognizable pirates. The challenge isn't simply making the adventure look impressive. It's finding something new to say about a tale audiences have encountered in so many different forms.

With Oyelowo and Atwell leading the cast, a stronger focus on the mother-son relationship, and a version of Silver shaped by a broader historical perspective, MGM+ has some interesting ingredients to work with.

Whether those additions make this Treasure Island a voyage worth taking remains to be seen, but the premise and cast certainly give us reasons to climb aboard.

Treasure Island premieres Sunday, October 11, on MGM+ in the United States. The six-part series also streams on Paramount+ in the United Kingdom and Ireland.