Avast ye! A fresh take on the classic pirate adventure “Treasure Island” is to set sail into the streaming high seas.
MGM+ U.S. and Paramount+ U.K. & Ireland have commissioned a major new six-part series inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s 18th century swashbuckling epic, lining up a starry ensemble of scurvy sea dogs to walk planks and see timbers shivered.
Playing the iconic pirate Long John Silver (best known for his peg-leg and parrot) is David Oyelowo (“Selma,” “Silo”). Meanwhile, Hayley Atwell (“Agent Carter,” “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”) stars as Bess Hawkins, Jack Huston (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Day of the Fight”) plays Aaron Graham, Tomer Capone (“The Boys,” “Fauda”) plays Billy Bones, and Tom Sweet (“Great Expectations,” “Childhood of a Leader”) has the key role of Jim Hawkins.
“Treasure Island” — which began shooting this month — is coming-of-age adventure series charting the transformation of teenager Jim Hawkins from sheltered boy to emboldened young pirate. When Hawkins 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. 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. Jim has to grow up fast as he and his mother fight for survival on a voyage where alliances shift, secrets multiply and peril closes in from all sides.
“Treasure Island” is set across the Atlantic, in a Caribbean on the brink of revolution and on the terrifying Skeleton Island, and, according to the synopsis, “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.”
The show is a Paramount+ and MGM+ Original Series in association with MGM+ and Fifth Season, produced by Playground. It 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 serving as producer.
It was commissioned for Paramount+ by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer U.K. and Paul Testar, commissioning editor, for Paramount+ U.K. & Ireland. Michael Wright, global head of MGM+, and Alec Strum, original programming executive, are overseeing production for MGM+, while David Stern, Scott Huff, Colin Callender and Daniel Gratton executive produce on behalf of Playground. Robert Murphy and Jeremy Lovering also serve as executive producers.
“’Treasure Island’ is a bold and atmospheric reimagining of a story that has captivated audiences for generations,” said Paramount+’s Cardwell. “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.”
Added MGM+’s Wright: “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.”
“Treasure Island” will premiere on Paramount+ in the U.K. and Ireland, and on MGM+ in the United States, with Fifth Season handling global distribution outside these territories. Production services in Spain are provided by Ánima Stillking.
“’Treasure Island’ is an epic, high-stakes adventure with timeless themes of conquest, greed, and coming of age,” said Playground’s joint Managing Directors Stern and Huff. “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.”
Added Kate Laffey, SVP acquisitions at Fifth Season: “’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.”
English (US) ·