A New Treasure Island Series Sets Sail Before Ridley Scott and Hugh Jackman’s Movie

Pirates are heading back to the screen, and MGM+ and Paramount+ are getting there first.

The streamers have released the first look at their upcoming six-part Treasure Island series, giving fans an early glimpse of David Oyelowo as the legendary Long John Silver.

The cast also includes Hayley Atwell as Bess Hawkins, Tom Sweet as Jim Hawkins, Jack Huston as Aaron Graham, and Tomer Capone as Billy Bones.

And fans won’t have to wait long to see them set sail.

Treasure Island Arrives This October

The new Treasure Island series premieres on MGM+ in the United States on October 11, with Paramount+ launching the show in the United Kingdom and Ireland on October 12.

The remaining five episodes will then be released weekly.

This latest adaptation puts a new spin on Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous 1883 adventure novel.

The story follows young Jim Hawkins and his determined mother, Bess, after they discover Captain Flint’s legendary treasure map. That discovery quickly throws them into a dangerous race for a fortune that plenty of people are willing to kill for.

The supporting cast includes Craige Els as Mr. Arrow, Tristan Sturrock as Captain Smollett, and Neil Pendleton as Mr. Cameron.

Treasure Island Helped Create the Pirate Image We Know Today

Few pirate stories have had the cultural influence of Treasure Island.

The novel has been adapted for film and television countless times, with Disney producing several memorable versions over the years.

One of the most influential arrived in 1950.

Robert Newton’s performance as Long John Silver in Disney’s Treasure Island helped shape the way generations of audiences imagined pirates. His exaggerated West Country accent became closely associated with the stereotypical pirate voice that still shows up in movies, cartoons, games, and theme parks today.

So yes — a lot of those “Arrr, matey!” pirate impressions can trace at least some of their history back to Long John Silver.

Disney Has Also Considered Another Treasure Island

This isn’t the only modern attempt to bring Stevenson’s story back.

Filmmakers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz previously revealed plans for a Disney version of Treasure Island with an unusual twist: an Australian surfing-inspired take on the story.

That project was announced several years ago, but updates have been quiet since 2024.

Disney has also turned its attention back toward another major pirate franchise, with a sixth Pirates of the Caribbeanmovie once again being discussed as a priority.

But there’s another Treasure Island adaptation looming on the horizon — and this one has some major Hollywood names attached.

Hugh Jackman Could Become the Next Long John Silver

Director Ridley Scott is developing his own feature-film version of Treasure Island, with Hugh Jackman attached to play Long John Silver.

Jack Thorne wrote the screenplay, which once again follows a young boy who discovers a map leading to buried treasure and begins a dangerous voyage in search of it.

Naturally, things become considerably more complicated once Long John Silver enters the picture.

Jackman confirmed his involvement earlier in 2026, although the movie was still looking to fully come together at the time.

That means audiences could soon get two very different versions of one of literature’s most famous pirates.

David Oyelowo gets the first shot with MGM+ and Paramount+.

Hugh Jackman may be waiting right behind him.

The Pirates Are Coming Back

Between this new television series, Ridley Scott’s planned movie, and Disney continuing to explore the future of Pirates of the Caribbean, Hollywood clearly isn’t finished with high-seas adventures.

For now, Treasure Island gets the first chance to raise the flag.

The six-part series premieres October 11 on MGM+ in the United States and October 12 on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland.