Treasure Island is a story we all know so well, but it has been reimagined in new Paramount + series, featuring David Oyelowo & Hayley Atwell. To mark the occasion, we had the immense pleasure in speaking to the aforementioned duo, who share a great chemistry both on and off screen, as long-time collaborators and good friends.
We speak to Oyelowo about playing Long John Silver, as he reveals to us that it’s a character he wanted to portray for a number of years. Exploring the iconic pirate’s Caribbean backstory, he tells us about the joy in finally bringing the role to life. Meanwhile, Atwell discusses the development of Bess Hawkins, exploring her survival instincts and shaping the woman who helps make Jim who he is. You can watch our interview in its entirety below.
David Oyelowo & Hayley Atwell
Plot
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. At the heart of the expedition is Long John Silver, a charismatic and deeply complex survivor whose ambitions challenge every certainty Jim holds. Through treacherous landscapes and escalating conflict, the hunt for treasure becomes a dangerous test of conscience that will change them forever.
Treasure Island launches Monday, October 12 on Paramount+ UK & Ireland with one episode. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Mondays, culminating in the season finale on Monday, November 16.
