Few adventure stories have been retold as often as Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, which makes every new version a small gamble. The six-part MGM+ series arriving this Sunday has found a smart angle: Jim Hawkins no longer heads into danger on his own. His mother Bess, played by Hayley Atwell, is right beside him when Captain Flint’s map changes their lives, and that single shift reframes the whole voyage.
Turning the story into a mother-and-son adventure adds stakes that the original only hinted at. Bess is about to make a practical marriage for the family’s sake, so the map is not just a ticket to gold but a chance to escape a future she never wanted. That gives the treasure hunt a personal edge, while Tom Sweet’s Jim keeps the wide-eyed sense of discovery that readers have loved for generations.
Then there is Long John Silver. David Oyelowo is an inspired choice for the charming, unpredictable cook, a role that lives or dies on how well an actor balances warmth and menace. With Jack Huston as a British agent of doubtful loyalty and Tomer Capone as Billy Bones, the supporting cast suggests plenty of shifting alliances on deck.
The series promises a grittier tone than many family-friendly versions without losing the sunlit sweep of a proper sea adventure. Episodes roll out weekly through mid-November, which suits a story built on cliffhangers. For the full cast list, release dates and the UK schedule, the Treasure Island premiere guide covers everything you need.
Our directory pick for the weekend: if you grew up with pirates, maps and buried chests, this is an easy one to add to your watchlist, and a compact six episodes means it will not swallow your whole autumn.
