TREASURE ISLAND – Hollywood | Hayley Atwell | David Oyelowo

Movie Details

Category	Details
Movie/Series Name	Treasure Island
Creator	Robert Murphy
Directors	Jeremy Lovering, William McGregor, Paul Walker
Lead Cast	Hayley Atwell, David Oyelowo, Tom Sweet
Supporting Cast	Jack Huston, Tomer Capone, Craige Els, Tristan Sturrock, Neil Pendleton, George Frost, Mayen Mehta, Christopher Langan
Characters	Bess Hawkins, Long John Silver, Jim Hawkins, Aaron Graham, Billy Bones, Mr Arrow, Captain Smollett, Mr Cameron
Genre	Adventure, Drama, Pirate
Release Date	October 11, 2026
Episodes	6
OTT Platform	MGM+; Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland
Language	English
Rating	⭐⭐⭐½/5

Introduction & Overview

Treasure Island (2026) brings one of literature’s most enduring pirate adventures back to the screen with a significantly reworked interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story. The six-part adventure drama places Hayley Atwell, David Oyelowo and Tom Sweet at the centre of a dangerous journey involving a legendary treasure map, the Hispaniola, shifting alliances and the mysterious Skeleton Island.

What immediately separates this version from many previous adaptations is its decision to expand characters and relationships that were relatively limited in the original novel. Hayley Atwell’s Bess Hawkins becomes a much more prominent figure, while David Oyelowo’s Long John Silver receives a substantially developed background and personality.

The result is not simply a straightforward reproduction of the familiar pirate adventure. Instead, the series attempts to create a more contemporary drama around the classic premise. It combines traditional treasure-hunt excitement with questions of family, survival, loyalty, identity and ambition.

For viewers searching for a Treasure Island review, the biggest attraction is undoubtedly the central pairing of Atwell and Oyelowo. Their performances provide the series with much of its dramatic weight, while Tom Sweet’s Jim Hawkins remains the emotional centre of the story.

Detailed Plot Summary

The story begins when young Jim Hawkins, played by Tom Sweet, and his mother Bess Hawkins, portrayed by Hayley Atwell, become connected to a legendary treasure map. The discovery changes their lives and places valuable information in their possession, making them targets for people who are prepared to use violence and deception to obtain the treasure.

Rather than keeping Jim isolated within the traditional coming-of-age structure, this adaptation places Bess directly into the adventure. She becomes an active participant in the journey, giving the narrative a stronger family dimension.

Jim and Bess eventually set sail aboard the Hispaniola, embarking on a dangerous voyage toward the legendary treasure. What initially appears to be an exciting expedition gradually becomes a struggle for survival as the passengers and crew reveal competing motives.

At the heart of the voyage is Long John Silver, played by David Oyelowo. Silver is charming, intelligent and intimidating, creating an uneasy relationship with Jim. He is not presented simply as a one-dimensional pirate villain. Instead, the series gives him a complicated history and motivations that make his decisions considerably more difficult to predict.

The journey also brings Aaron Graham, played by Jack Huston, into the conflict. Graham represents another form of danger: sophistication, manipulation and political intrigue rather than straightforward pirate brutality.

Meanwhile, Billy Bones, portrayed by Tomer Capone, becomes another important figure in the story’s opening stages. Other characters, including Mr Arrow, Captain Smollett and Mr Cameron, contribute to the increasingly unstable environment aboard the ship.

The narrative eventually expands beyond the voyage itself, bringing the characters toward the Caribbean and the mysterious Skeleton Island. The treasure becomes more than a physical prize; it becomes a source of conflict that tests relationships and exposes hidden ambitions.

Importantly, the story retains the fundamental appeal of Treasure Island: a young protagonist entering an unfamiliar world where adults cannot always be trusted. However, this version gives that familiar journey a more serious and contemporary emotional framework.

Cast Performances & Character Breakdown

Hayley Atwell as Bess Hawkins

Hayley Atwell delivers one of the adaptation’s most important performances as Bess Hawkins, Jim’s mother. This is a considerably expanded interpretation of the character, giving Atwell far more material than the original novel provides.

Bess is presented as determined, intelligent and protective. She is not simply there to motivate Jim’s adventure from the background. Her decisions directly influence the story, and Atwell gives the character the strength necessary to occupy such a central position.

Her performance works particularly well when Bess has to balance maternal instincts with the brutal realities of the world around her. The character understands that survival sometimes requires difficult decisions, and Atwell communicates that internal conflict effectively.

David Oyelowo as Long John Silver

The biggest performance attraction is David Oyelowo as Long John Silver.

Oyelowo avoids turning Silver into a simple caricature. Instead, he gives the pirate an intimidating combination of intelligence, charm and unpredictability. His portrayal also introduces a more distinctive cultural and historical background to the character, including a Jamaican identity and accent.

This interpretation makes Silver considerably more dangerous because his charm is never entirely trustworthy. He can appear friendly in one moment and threatening in another.

Oyelowo’s screen presence is particularly effective whenever Silver shares scenes with Jim. Their relationship carries uncertainty throughout the story because Jim is constantly trying to determine whether Silver is an ally, mentor or potential enemy.

Tom Sweet as Jim Hawkins

Tom Sweet plays Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist whose discovery of the treasure map sets the adventure in motion.

Jim’s journey is essentially one of forced maturity. He begins with youthful curiosity but quickly finds himself surrounded by adults with complicated motives. Sweet captures that transition effectively, particularly when Jim must make decisions without being able to rely completely on the people around him.

The adaptation also gives Jim unusual importance because of his ability to retain information about the treasure map, increasing the danger surrounding him.

Jack Huston as Aaron Graham

Jack Huston plays Aaron Graham, a sophisticated and duplicitous British agent who introduces another layer of intrigue into the story.

Huston brings controlled intensity to the role. Graham is not presented as an obvious pirate villain, which makes him an interesting contrast to Silver. His polished exterior hides motivations that gradually become more complicated.

Tomer Capone as Billy Bones

Tomer Capone appears as Billy Bones, one of the key figures connected to the dangerous treasure-hunting world.

Capone’s performance adds tension to the early part of the story and helps establish the darker atmosphere surrounding the treasure map.

Supporting Cast

The supporting ensemble includes Craige Els as Mr Arrow, Tristan Sturrock as Captain Smollett, Neil Pendleton as Mr Cameron, George Frost, Mayen Mehta and Christopher Langan. Their roles help create the larger maritime world in which Jim, Bess and Silver operate.

Direction, Screenplay & Technical Aspects

The series is created by Robert Murphy, with episodes directed by Jeremy Lovering, William McGregor and Paul Walker. It was filmed in Bristol and Tenerife, allowing the production to combine British locations with landscapes capable of representing the wider Caribbean adventure.

Visually, the production aims for a darker and more grounded interpretation of the pirate genre. Ships, coastal environments and atmospheric locations help establish the feeling of a dangerous voyage rather than a lightweight family adventure.

The decision to stretch the story across six episodes gives the writers considerably more room to explore character relationships and motivations. This is particularly useful for Bess and Long John Silver, whose expanded backgrounds require more narrative space than a conventional two-hour adaptation would allow.

The screenplay’s biggest strength is its willingness to reinterpret familiar characters rather than simply reproducing earlier screen versions. At the same time, this ambition can occasionally create tonal uncertainty. Viewers expecting a straightforward traditional Treasure Island adventure may find the darker dramatic direction considerably different from the classic story they know.

The music, production design and maritime atmosphere contribute to the overall sense of adventure, while the editing maintains the escalating tension as the characters move closer to the treasure.

Strengths & Weaknesses / Pros & Cons

Pros

David Oyelowo’s Long John Silver: Oyelowo gives the iconic pirate character depth, menace and charisma, making Silver one of the most memorable elements of the series.
Hayley Atwell’s Bess Hawkins: Expanding Bess into a major protagonist gives the story a stronger emotional and family-driven dimension.
Fresh interpretation: The series does not simply repeat previous adaptations and introduces significant changes to character histories and relationships.
Strong adventure setting: Ships, islands, treasure hunting and dangerous voyages provide the visual ingredients expected from a pirate drama.
Talented ensemble: Tom Sweet, Jack Huston, Tomer Capone and the supporting cast strengthen the overall production.
Character-driven storytelling: The emphasis on loyalty, identity, family and betrayal gives the adventure greater dramatic ambition.

Cons

Major changes from the classic novel: Traditionalists may be uncomfortable with how substantially certain characters and story elements have been reimagined.
Uneven tone: The series sometimes moves between family adventure, historical drama and darker pirate thriller territory.
Expanded runtime: Six episodes provide room for character development but can also make the central treasure quest feel slower than expected.
Modern reinterpretation: Viewers looking for a faithful adaptation of Stevenson’s original story may find this version too different.

Final Verdict & Target Audience

Treasure Island (2026) is an ambitious reinterpretation of a classic adventure story, powered by strong performances from David Oyelowo, Hayley Atwell and Tom Sweet. Its biggest achievement is giving familiar characters new dimensions rather than simply reproducing previous versions.

David Oyelowo’s Long John Silver is the standout performance, while Hayley Atwell’s expanded role as Bess gives the story a stronger emotional foundation.

Fans of pirate adventures, literary adaptations, historical dramas and character-driven action series should find plenty to explore. Viewers expecting a traditional, faithful Treasure Island may need to approach it with an open mind.

With its six-episode format, strong central cast and darker reinterpretation, Treasure Island is best suited to audiences who enjoy familiar stories being rebuilt for a modern television audience.