In a new adaptation of Treasure Island, David Oyelowo and Tom Sweet explore the complex relationships, ambitions and coming-of-age journey at the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure. From a fresh take on the legendary Long John Silver to Jim Hawkins’ evolving relationship with his mother and the man who becomes an unexpected father figure, the Treasure Island stars David Oyelowo and Tom Sweet discuss their approaches to bringing these iconic characters to life in an interview with Nexus Point News.

Long John Silver is one of the most iconic pirates in literature and cinematic history, with so many adaptations over the years. What was your first instinct about how you wanted to play him in Treasure Island?

David Oyelowo: Well, my first instinct was born out of what was already on the page, which was that there was built into this version of freshness tied to him being formerly enslaved, him being someone from the Caribbean. And so therefore, him being someone who desires to get to the treasure was not just rooted in greed, it was rooted in the need for empowerment, having been so disempowered by having been enslaved. And so there’s a kind of righteous indignation, I think. He had felt a right to that treasure, given just how much had been taken away from him, which I think is a slightly different take on Long John Silver and the treasure in relation to Long John Silver than we’ve seen before.

Jim’s mother wants to give him everything and pushes him into a journey that will change his life. Does Jim see this adventure as an opportunity, or does he sometimes feel swept along with her ambitions?

Tom Sweet: I think his mother is such a force of nature and he is following her lead that at times, he is definitely playing sort of second fiddle and she’s making all the decisions, but then as the voyage continues and he sort of takes in this new world around him, he sort of adapts to it maybe even quicker than she does, and he’s learning — sort of how to play this game and as time goes on, he definitely becomes more confident in this world and in this new context.

This is also a coming-of-age story for Jim, who finds himself influenced by John Silver. David, how did you approach this character’s role that he comes to play in Jim’s life?

David Oyelowo: Well, because we have Bess Hawkins so much more prominently in our version, you really see his need for a parent. But I think you also feel his need for a father figure. And it’s something that I think my character takes advantage of. In order to get to what he actually wants, which is the map, but then I think as he’s in the process of doing that, he actually comes to be quite fond of Jim as well. So I think there are moments where he’s surprised by the effect this young man is having on him. That was, to be honest, a layer of complexity that I hadn’t anticipated. It’s actually in the hands of Tom that I felt that. I’m very, very fond of him as a person and as an actor so that just felt quite organic to sort of have these moments where he’s looking to manipulate him, but there’s also creeping in this weird unexpected need to protect him, which then immediately gets undercut again because Long John is so selfish and intent on what he wants. So as human beings, we’re never just one thing at any given time and this relationship definitely shows that.

Treasure Island is now streaming on MGM+.