‘Treasure Island’ Trailer Features David Oyelowo as Long John Silver and Bess Hawkins

Laura Bais
TREASURE ISLAND
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Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate tale has seen countless adaptations, yet it continues to captivate audiences. From Orson Welles to the Muppets, and even a prequel in ‘Black Sails’ set in the ‘Star Wars’ universe with ‘Skeleton Crew’, the story has been reimagined in various ways. MGM+ is confident that there’s still room for another take, and the newly released trailer showcases their vision.

The upcoming ‘Treasure Island‘ series is set to premiere this fall as a six-part reimagining of the beloved story. Produced by Playground Entertainment, known for ‘Wolf Hall’, the series is created by Robert Murphy, with direction from Jeremy Lovering, William McGregor, and Paul Walker.

On Thursday, MGM+ unveiled a 2 minute 24 second trailer featuring David Oyelowo and Hayley Atwell. The series is set to debut on Sunday, October 11 in the US on MGM+ and on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland the following day. New episodes will be released weekly, concluding on November 15 in the US and November 16 in the UK and Ireland.

The trailer and promotional art depict a stormy, pirate-filled world, showcasing Oyelowo’s Long John Silver with a hat and a green parrot perched on his shoulder, alongside Jim and Bess Hawkins in front of a ship against a dark sky. The narrative follows young Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) and his mother Bess (Hayley Atwell) as they discover Captain Flint’s legendary treasure map, thrusting them into a perilous race for riches against the British Navy and a crew of pirates.

The series is described as a bold, high-stakes coming-of-age adventure, focusing on Jim’s evolution from a sheltered boy to a daring young pirate. Bess’s resourceful and decisive actions provide Jim with crucial knowledge that endangers both of their lives.

Bess represents a significant departure from the original material, as she only appears briefly in Stevenson’s novel. In this adaptation, she embarks on the journey with her son. Executive producer Scott Huff noted that Stevenson portrayed her as a single mother managing an inn for sailors, equipping her with skills to navigate a treacherous world.

Oyelowo, known for roles in ‘Selma’, ‘Silo’, and ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’, takes on the role of the peg-legged pirate. This casting marks a notable moment, being the first time a Black actor has portrayed Silver on screen. Atwell, who also stars in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, joins Sweet, recognized for his work in ‘Great Expectations’.

The cast also includes Jack Huston as Aaron Graham and Tomer Capone from ‘The Boys’ as Billy Bones. Additional ensemble members are Craige Els of ‘Andor’ as Mr. Arrow, Tristan Sturrock of ‘Poldark’ as Captain Smollett, and Neil Pendleton of ‘Outlander’ as Mr. Cameron.

MGM+ chief Michael Wright described the series as a perfect embodiment of the MGM+ brand, presenting classic Hollywood storytelling for a modern audience. Filming took place in Spain, starting in March and concluding in April.

The timing of the premiere is intriguing, as Ridley Scott is also developing a film adaptation featuring Hugh Jackman as Long John Silver. The six-episode format allows for deeper exploration of characters and relationships, something a film might rush through.

The series premiere coincides with a busy week, launching just before Marvel’s ‘VisionQuest’ and the ‘Friday the 13th’ prequel ‘Crystal Lake’. Nonetheless, a well-cast pirate drama could be the adventurous experience that entices audiences to explore something new.

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