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Spooks legend and Marvel favourite star in first look at all-new Treasure Island TV adaptation

David Oyelowo and Hayley Atwell set sail for Paramount+'s epic pirate reimagining.

Long John Silver (David Oyelowo) in Treasure Island; he is stood on the deck of a ship, with a green parrot on his shoulder

Paramount

Published: Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 10:43 am

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Paramount+ has released the first-look images for Treasure Island, a six-part drama that unites Spooks star David Oyelowo with Marvel favourite Hayley Atwell for a fresh take on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale.

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Oyelowo, recently seen in Apple TV's Silo and Paramount's own Lawmen: Bass Reeves, takes on the iconic role of Long John Silver, marking the first time a Black actor has played the character in a major screen adaptation.

Atwell, whose credits include Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, plays Bess Hawkins, the fiercely determined mother of young Jim Hawkins.

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Bess Hawkins (Hayley Atwell) and Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) in Treasure Island; Jim is reading a map, while Bess sits next to him peering over

Bess Hawkins (Hayley Atwell) in Treasure Island; she is on the deck of a pirate ship, holding a shotgun, with smoke blowing across the foreground

Mr Aaron Graham played (Jack Huston) in Treasure Island; he is stood on the deck of a ship, surrounded by his fellow naval serviceman in uniform

Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) in Treasure Island

Billy Bones (Tomer Capone) in Treasure Island

Bess Hawkins (Hayley Atwell) and Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) in Treasure Island; Jim is reading a map, while Bess sits next to him peering over

Bess Hawkins (Hayley Atwell) in Treasure Island; she is on the deck of a pirate ship, holding a shotgun, with smoke blowing across the foreground

Mr Aaron Graham played (Jack Huston) in Treasure Island; he is stood on the deck of a ship, surrounded by his fellow naval serviceman in uniform

Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) in Treasure Island

Billy Bones (Tomer Capone) in Treasure Island

Bess Hawkins (Hayley Atwell) and Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) in Treasure Island; Jim is reading a map, while Bess sits next to him peering over

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The series premieres on 12 October 2026 exclusively on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland, and on 11 October on MGM+ in the US, with new episodes dropping weekly in both territories.

Jim Hawkins is played by Tom Sweet, best known for Steven Knight's Great Expectations, while Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) plays Aaron Graham and Tomer Capone (The Boys) takes the role of Billy Bones.

The official synopsis teases: "When young Jim Hawkins and his fiercely determined mother Bess come into possession of Captain Flint's legendary treasure map, they are swept into a brutal race for unimaginable riches.

"Crossing the Atlantic aboard the Hispaniola, Jim enters a world of shifting loyalties, ruthless ambition and deadly secrets, where trust can be as dangerous as betrayal."

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At the heart of the expedition is Long John Silver, described as "a charismatic and deeply complex survivor whose ambitions challenge every certainty Jim holds".

The supporting cast includes Craige Els (Andor) as Mr Arrow, Tristan Sturrock (Poldark) as Captain Smollett and Neil Pendleton (Shetland) as Mr Cameron.

Treasure Island has been created for television by Robert Murphy, whose credits include Vera and Shetland, and is directed by Jeremy Lovering (Slow Horses), William McGregor (His Dark Materials) and Paul Walker (The Ex-Wife).

Treasure Island is available to watch on Paramount+ from 12 October 2026. You can sign up to Paramount+ for a seven-day free trial.

Add Treasure Island to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of David Craig, smiling against a lime green background.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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