MGM+ and Paramount+ have set a new TV adaptation of a monumental pirate story.
Per Variety, MGM+ U.S. and Paramount+ U.K. & Ireland are producing a six-episode adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island. They have also announced several key cast members, with David Oyelowo set to play Long John Silver, Hayley Atwell as Bess Hawkins, and Jack Huston as Aaron Graham. Tomer Capone is also confirmed as Billy Bones, and Tom Sweet as Jim Hawkins.
Shooting began this month on this new adaptation of Treasure Island, which is a coming-of-age story about Jim Hawkins, who comes into possession of a coveted map and sets sail with Captain Smollett and others to find buried treasure. But they soon face a mutiny on board their ship when it turns out that many of the crew members are pirates, led by charismatic cook John Silver.
This Treasure Island is seemingly making some key changes, as Variety describes it as a “coming-of-age adventure series charting the transformation of teenager Jim Hawkins from sheltered boy to emboldened young pirate.” Jim does not become a pirate in the book; he only fights them. Additionally, these producers are apparently expanding the role of Jim’s mother.
The summary continues: “Sailing aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bess are caught between the charming, terrifying pirate Long John Silver, and the debonair, duplicitous British agent Aaron Graham.” Mrs. Hawkins does not accompany her son on the voyage in the source material, while Aaron Graham is an original character. They are also fleshing out the context surrounding the main story, showing revolution brewing in the Caribbean.
Robert Murphy serves as the series creator, with Jeremy Lovering, William McGregor, and Paul Walker attached as directors and Mark Hedges as producer. Treasure Island has been adapted for the screen more than 50 times, and as of December 2024, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz were reportedly developing a Treasure Island movie for Disney, which Schwartz called “an Australian surfer version.“
There are a few especially noteworthy and beloved versions of Treasure Island. Disney’s 1950 Treasure Island is especially historically inaccurate, but was popular enough to encourage the proliferation of some stereotypical pirate characteristics. The company also made the 2002 animated cult classic Treasure Planet, which transfers the story to a sci-fi setting.
There is also the fan-favorite Muppet Treasure Island, featuring Tim Curry as Long John Silver, as well as the underrated gritty Starz series Black Sails, which serves as a prequel to Treasure Island. The classic novel codified a certain image of 18th-century piracy in the popular imagination and has had the longevity to fuel many creative interpretations over the years.
“Treasure Island is a bold and atmospheric reimagining of a story that has captivated audiences for generations,” said Sebastian Cardwell, Paramount+‘s deputy chief content officer U.K. “This adaptation brings fresh emotional depth and a striking contemporary edge to Stevenson’s classic.” When this ground has been tread so many times before, these claims turning out to be accurate will be crucial to Treasure Island‘s success.