MGM+ Treasure Island Series Brings Pirate Adventure to Screens MGM+ Treasure Island series, a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, premiered on October 11, 2026, with Hayley Atwell and David Oyelowo. It received an 11% Rotten Tomatoes score. The MGM+ series Treasure Island, a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 classic novel, premiered on October 11, 2026, bringing high-seas adventure to television. Starring Hayley Atwell as Bess Hawkins and David Oyelowo as Long John Silver, the series aims to capture the spirit of pirate adventures akin to the Pirates of the Caribbean films, though it has received mixed reviews from critics. The story follows young Jim Hawkins and his mother Bess as they embark on a perilous journey after acquiring a legendary treasure map, navigating threats from Long John Silver and British agent Aaron Graham. Plot and characters in Treasure IslandThe series sticks to the broad strokes of Stevenson's novel, setting up a web of deception and warring ambitions among the lead characters. Each major player wants Captain Flint's treasure for their own reasons, constantly trading the upper hand. Young Jim, played by Tom Sweet, is the only one who knows how to find the treasure thanks to his photographic memory, and he is quickly caught in the middle, wondering who to trust.Jim's mother, Bess Hawkins, takes on a much larger role than in previous versions. Her involvement in the journey helps further Jim's coming-of-age saga, and she proves to be a cunning foil to the men she is up against. Jim is aligned with his mother from the start, but seeing what she is capable of gives him pause, pushing him at times towards the merchant Aaron Graham, played by Jack Huston, and the dangerous cook Long John Silver.Unlike the original book, Silver is not a mystery to Jim when they first cross paths on their voyage to Jamaica. He and Bess are both fully aware of what Long John is capable of, having witnessed his part in the fate of Billy Bones, played by Tomer Capone. That dark run-in provides a springboard for drama between the trio once they set sail, and the curious generosity of Graham only complicates things further.Critical reception and Rotten Tomatoes scoreWhile Treasure Island has only been out for a short while, reviews have proven to be underwhelming. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series earned an 11% score from critics. One review stated that Treasure Island shows admirable ambition but that the execution is flat, repetitive and ultimately rather dreary. Another review noted that the series plays it so straight-down-the-line that it can feel a bit flat, at least whenever Long John Silver is not around.In Charlie Ridgely's review for Collider, however, the series is described as more of a mixed bag. Ridgely states that the production value of the show is quite high, especially considering the period, out-to-sea setting. He notes that the adventure feels grand when they are on the sea, and the close quarters of the ship are used to great effect, making things seem bigger than they are. He adds that the series has a fantastic cast, savvy production, and intriguing story.With that said, however, the series seems to lose itself in the middle, unable to raise the stakes and deliver a heightened sense of mystery and intrigue as the story goes on. Ridgely said that momentum comes to a halt as soon as the crew reaches land in Skull Island. Therefore, while the Rotten Tomatoes score and reviews make a case for Treasure Island to not be considered a TV must-watch, the MGM+ series is certainly an ambitious production.Background and connection to pirate adventuresHollywood has produced countless movie franchises over the years, but few have captured audiences' imaginations quite like the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. Starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom, the films take viewers on thrilling seafaring adventures filled with fearsome villains, life-or-death encounters, and the endlessly charming Captain Jack Sparrow. Although the franchise's last installment hit theaters in 2017, a new MGM+ series could bring back that same sense of high-seas adventure, danger, and intrigue.Treasure Island is directed by Jeremy Lovering, Paul Walker, and William McGregor. The series follows Jim Hawkins and his mother Bess as they embark on a perilous journey after acquiring a legendary treasure map. Aboard The Hispaniola, they navigate threats from the pirate Long John Silver and British agent Aaron Graham amidst shifting alliances and dangerous secrets. With a story audiences may already know and love, and two incredible performers at the center with Oyelowo and Atwell, the action series could be an easy, intriguing watch, especially for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean.