MGM+'s Treasure Island with David Oyelowo premieres Oct. 11 in six parts
MGM+ raises the sail on Treasure Island on Sunday, Oct. 11. The six-part drama is a new screen take on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic. It was created by Robert Murphy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Each of the six chapters runs for about an hour, making six hours in total.
David Oyelowo leads the cast as Long John Silver. Tom Sweet plays Jim Hawkins, the young figure at the heart of the tale. Hayley Atwell plays Bess, described as Jim's widowed mother. The three roles put a veteran pirate, a young lead and his mother at the centre of the story.
Jack Huston appears as Graham, a wealthy merchant. Tomer Capone plays Billy Bones. Both parts come from the Stevenson original. Together they fill out the adult world around Jim and Bess.
The series is arranged for two services. It is described as a series for MGM+ and Paramount+, Deadline reported on Sept. 9. New episodes drop weekly through November 15 and 16. The two dates cover the rollout across the two platforms, with six weekly drops for six chapters.
The premiere date sits at the start of that run. Treasure Island is scheduled to air Sunday, Oct. 11 on MGM+. The Hollywood Reporter published its TV review on Oct. 11. Viewers coming to the premiere will find the review alongside it.
That review ends with a one-line verdict. Its bottom line reads, quote, "Admirably ambitious, disappointingly flat." The line reflects one critic's assessment. It is not a viewing figure, a subscriber total or a decision on a further series.
What makes this stand out for regular viewers is the shape of the adaptation. A favourite pirate tale stretched across six hours. A mother placed at the centre of the action. A weekly rhythm that leaves space between episodes to catch up and talk.
For anyone planning to watch, the pattern is simple. Start with hour one on Oct. 11. Return each week for the next chapter. By mid-November, the full six-hour voyage will have played out on MGM+ and Paramount+.
