David Oyelowo is set to redefine one of literature's most legendary pirates. The acclaimed actor will star as Long John Silver in MGM+'s upcoming Treasure Island miniseries, a role that has been portrayed by Hollywood heavyweights like Orson Welles, Tim Curry, and Charlton Heston. But Oyelowo's casting marks a historic first: he is the first Black actor to take on the iconic character.
During a recent interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he was promoting his new film Clarissa, Oyelowo shared his excitement about the project. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the real history of piracy, noting that roughly one in four pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy were Black. "We haven't really seen that reflected appropriately in movies and TV shows," he said. "This isn't a token piece of casting. He actually was from that place."
Oyelowo also highlighted the progressive nature of pirate ships, where "one man, one vote" was the norm, offering a sense of autonomy to many who had escaped enslavement. "They actually were kind of forward-thinking places, these pirate ships," he added. "I just love that. I love the fact that even though Robert Louis Stevenson didn't put that in the book, this version of it acknowledges that truth."
Of course, the actor also relished the more theatrical aspects of the role. "I get to sort of have one leg and a parrot, so what's not to like about that?" he joked, referencing the character's iconic peg leg and feathered companion.
The miniseries, which also stars Hayley Atwell and Jack Huston, is set to premiere on MGM+ on October 11 in the United States and on Paramount+ the following day in the UK. Fans of the classic novel can expect a fresh take that honors the source material while bringing a long-overdue perspective to the story.
Oyelowo's portrayal is part of a broader trend in entertainment to revisit classic tales with more inclusive casting. For those interested in similar groundbreaking moves in cinema, check out our list of the most game-changing films in cinema history.
Meanwhile, Oyelowo's other project, Clarissa, is a modern retelling of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, set in Lagos, Nigeria. Directed by twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri, the film also stars Sophie Okonedo and Ayo Edebiri. It premiered at Cannes and is currently screening at TIFF, with a theatrical release scheduled for December 11 via Neon.
As Oyelowo continues to break barriers, his work in Treasure Island promises to be a landmark moment for representation in period dramas. For more on his upcoming projects, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
