A brilliantly made, high-stakes reinvention of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, Treasure Island brings pirates, buried gold, deadly rivalries and a spectacular adventure to screens with an impressive ensemble cast led by David Oyelowo and Hayley Atwell.
An epic new version of Treasure Island is now streaming in the UK on Paramount+ and in the United States on Amazon MGM+, bringing a fresh, cinematic take on one of the most enduring adventure stories ever written.
The six-part drama reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary novel as a gripping, character-driven adventure filled with treachery, shifting loyalties, political intrigue and a dangerous hunt for the treasure of the infamous Captain Flint.
Brilliantly made and packed with atmosphere, the series takes viewers from storm-battered Cornwall to treacherous Atlantic waters and a mysterious island where fortunes can be won, lives can be lost and nobody can be trusted for long.
David Oyelowo (Selma, Silo) leads the cast as the formidable Long John Silver, alongside Hayley Atwell (Marvel’s Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Tomer Capone (The Boys) and Tom Sweet (Great Expectations).
Set in 1788, this ambitious adaptation brings new emotional depth to Stevenson’s classic while retaining the danger, excitement and sense of discovery that have captivated readers for generations.
What is Treasure Island about?
At the centre of the story is teenager Jim Hawkins, whose life changes dramatically when he comes into possession of a legendary treasure map.
Jim has been living a relatively sheltered existence with his formidable mother, Bess Hawkins. But Bess’s clever and decisive actions leave them both caught up in a deadly struggle for control of the treasure associated with Captain Flint.
Their discovery places a target on their backs, drawing them into a perilous journey in which powerful and dangerous figures compete to secure the riches for themselves.
Among them is Long John Silver, a ruthless survivor whose charm conceals a cunning and unpredictable nature. Equally dangerous is Aaron Graham, a polished British agent and revolutionary spy whose ambitions extend beyond personal wealth. He sees the treasure as a means of challenging the colonial order and reshaping the balance of power.
As Jim and Bess sail aboard The Hispaniola, they find themselves trapped between competing interests, with alliances constantly changing and secrets threatening to destroy everyone involved.
The journey takes them across the Atlantic and into a Caribbean on the brink of revolution before leading them towards the terrifying Skeleton Island, where the promise of unimaginable riches comes with extraordinary risks.
For Jim, the voyage becomes a brutal coming-of-age experience. The boy who begins the adventure with little understanding of the world must quickly learn to navigate deception, violence and moral uncertainty.
His transformation from sheltered teenager to emboldened young pirate forms the emotional heart of the series, while his relationship with Bess gives the familiar adventure a compelling new dimension.
Rather than presenting the search for treasure as a straightforward quest for riches, this version explores the consequences of greed, the struggle for power and the sacrifices people make when survival is at stake.
David Oyelowo leads an impressive cast
One of the series’ biggest attractions is its accomplished ensemble, with established screen stars bringing fresh interpretations to characters that have become part of popular culture.
David Oyelowo takes on the iconic role of Long John Silver, the charismatic yet dangerous pirate whose intelligence and ability to manipulate those around him make him a formidable opponent.
Hayley Atwell plays Bess Hawkins, Jim’s determined mother. Her role places a strong maternal figure at the centre of the adventure, with Bess’s courage and resourcefulness helping drive the story forward.
Jack Huston portrays Aaron Graham, a sophisticated and duplicitous British agent whose revolutionary ambitions add political intrigue to the treasure hunt.
Tomer Capone appears as Billy Bones, another key figure in the dangerous world surrounding Flint’s fortune.
Meanwhile, Tom Sweet plays Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist whose journey forces him to confront the realities of a world far more complicated than he could have imagined.
Together, the cast gives the series a strong foundation, balancing the spectacle of a traditional pirate adventure with a more intimate exploration of family, loyalty, ambition and identity.
A classic adventure reimagined for a new generation
Stevenson’s Treasure Island has inspired generations of readers and numerous screen adaptations, but this six-part drama seeks to give the familiar story a distinctive contemporary identity.
The series retains the essential ingredients of the original tale: a mysterious map, a dangerous voyage, a crew of unpredictable characters and the promise of buried treasure.
However, the expanded narrative places greater emphasis on political conflict, colonial power and the complicated motivations of those pursuing Flint’s fortune.
The result is a world in which the line between hero and villain is rarely straightforward. Characters must constantly reassess their loyalties, while the pursuit of wealth exposes the competing desires and vulnerabilities beneath their carefully constructed public faces.
The scale of the production also helps distinguish this adaptation. Its settings span rugged coastlines, dangerous seas and a jungle island steeped in secrets, creating an immersive backdrop for the escalating conflict.
For viewers who enjoy lavish period dramas, swashbuckling adventures and stories built around complex characters, Treasure Island offers a compelling combination of action and emotional storytelling.
Who created the new Treasure Island series?
The six-part drama was created for television by Robert Murphy, whose credits include Vera and Shetland.
The directing team comprises Jeremy Lovering (Slow Horses, The One), William McGregor (The Buccaneers, Lockwood & Co., His Dark Materials) and Paul Walker (Shameless, Riviera). Mark Hedges serves as producer.
Treasure Island is a Paramount+ and MGM+ original series produced by Playground in association with FIFTH SEASON, which handles global distribution outside the UK, Ireland and United States.
The series was commissioned for Paramount+ by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, UK, and commissioning editor Paul Testar. Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, and Alec Strum, original programming executive, oversee production for MGM+.
David Stern, Scott Huff, Colin Callender and Daniel Gratton executive produce on behalf of Playground, with Murphy and Lovering also serving as executive producers. Production services in Spain were provided by Ánima Stillking.
The creative team has set out to deliver an ambitious adaptation that combines the enduring appeal of Stevenson’s original with the scale and character development expected of a contemporary prestige drama.
What the producers say about Treasure Island
Paramount’s Sebastian Cardwell highlighted the series’ approach to the familiar story, 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 U.S. and beyond.”
MGM+’s Michael Wright also praised the production and its cast, saying:
“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. Robert Murphy’s fresh take on Stevenson’s classic captures the timeless themes of the beloved story, and we are delighted to partner with Playground and our colleagues at Paramount+ UK and Ireland on this ambitious adventure.”
Playground joint managing directors David Stern and Scott Huff described the drama as:
“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.”
Where to watch Treasure Island in the UK and US
The six-part Treasure Island is available to stream in the UK on Paramount+ and in the United States on MGM+, which is available through Amazon’s MGM+ streaming offering.
With its accomplished cast, striking period setting and a story that combines swashbuckling action with political intrigue, the series offers a new way to experience Stevenson’s enduring adventure.
Whether viewers are drawn by Oyelowo’s take on Long John Silver, Atwell’s formidable Bess Hawkins or Jim’s transformation into a young pirate, the drama promises a journey packed with danger, deception and discovery.
Treasure Island is an epic adventure, brilliantly made, that brings fresh energy to a timeless tale of ambition, survival and the irresistible promise of fortune. For anyone looking for an immersive period drama with a dangerous voyage at its heart, this new adaptation is well worth adding to the watchlist.
Treasure Island is streaming now.