David Oyelowo, Hayley Atwell to Star in Treasure Island Series

Paramount+ UK & Ireland and MGM+ U.S. have co-commissioned a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 18th-century adventure novel Treasure Island, with David Oyelowo (Selma, Silo), Hayley Atwell (Marvel’s Agent Carter) and Tom Sweet (Great Expectations) starring.

The new six-episode series is being produced by Playground. It has been 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).

Joining Oyelowo, Atwell and Sweet in the cast are Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire, Day of the Fight) and Tomer Capone (The Boys, Fauda).

The coming-of-age adventure series chronicles the transformation of teenager Jim Hawkins from a sheltered boy to an emboldened young pirate. When Jim gets his hands on a legendary treasure map, his mother Bess’s clever and decisive actions leave him holding valuable knowledge that puts both of their lives in danger. Aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bessare are caught between the charming but terrifying pirate Long John Silver and the debonair, duplicitous British agent Aaron Graham.

Sweet is starring as Jim, and Atwell is playing his mother. Oyelowo takes on the role of Long John Silver.

The series will premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K. and Ireland and on MGM+ in the U.S. Fifth Season is handling global distribution outside of these territories.

“Treasure Island is a bold and atmospheric reimagining of a story that has captivated audiences for generations,” said Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer for the U.K. at Paramount. “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 U.K. and Ireland, the U.S. and beyond.”

“This thrilling new adaptation of Stevenson’s classic adventure Treasure Island is a perfect expression of the MGM+ brand,” commented Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “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’s joint managing directors, David Stern and Scott 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, senior VP of 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.”