Oyelowo and Atwell Explain Expanded Roles in MGM+ Treasure Island
The actors say Long John Silver and Bess Hawkins are given more screen time than in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel.
David Oyelowo and Hayley Atwell have explained how MGM+'s adaptation of Treasure Island expands and reworks the roles of Long John Silver and Bess Hawkins, according to screenrant.com. Oyelowo plays Long John Silver, while Atwell plays Bess Hawkins. Tom Sweet plays Jim Hawkins.
The series gives Long John Silver Caribbean roots and places Bess Hawkins at the center of the action rather than keeping her at home as in the novel. Oyelowo and Atwell discussed these changes in an interview with Playlist.
Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island was originally published as a book in 1883. The novel has inspired many adaptations, including Disney's 1950 live-action movie and 1996's Muppet Treasure Island.