Quick answer: Some early viewers describe Tom Sweet’s Jim Hawkins as too passive in the 2026 Treasure Island, but that reaction is best understood as a debate about storytelling—not a settled verdict on the performance. The premiere gives Jim a central place in the treasure-map plot, yet its expanded focus on Bess Hawkins and its fast-moving mysteries can leave the young hero feeling more like a passenger than the person driving the adventure.
By Shivam Das | Updated October 12, 2026
Why some viewers think Jim Hawkins feels passive
The key distinction is between a character who has little to do and a character whose decisions do not appear to change what happens next. Jim is not absent from the story: the official premise places him and his mother, Bess, at the center of the discovery of Captain Flint’s map and the voyage aboard the Hispaniola. But viewers who expect Jim to be the emotional and moral engine of the adventure may want clearer moments in which his curiosity, judgment, courage or mistakes move the plot forward.
In a premiere that introduces a large cast, family tensions, a treasure hunt and a dangerous crew, a young protagonist can easily be crowded out. If other characters explain the stakes, uncover the secrets and make the consequential choices, Jim risks becoming the person events happen to rather than the person who changes them.
The adaptation has changed the balance of the story
Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel is told through Jim’s perspective for much of the adventure. His observations, errors and growing ability to read dangerous adults help the reader discover the world alongside him. A screen adaptation does not need to reproduce the book scene by scene, but it does need to preserve a compelling reason for Jim to remain the story’s point of entry.
The 2026 series gives Bess Hawkins a more substantial role and builds out the surrounding conspiracy. That can create a richer family story and give Hayley Atwell more to play. The trade-off is structural: every extra subplot competes for screen time. If the premiere gives Bess or the adult characters more decisive action, some viewers may interpret the result as Jim being sidelined—even if later episodes are designed to give him more agency.
What early audience discussion actually tells us
Premiere-day discussion on Reddit shows a range of reactions, not a scientific audience survey. In the television premiere thread, some commenters questioned the adaptation’s loose relationship to the novel and argued that revealing too much about Long John Silver early could weaken the slow-building bond between Silver and Jim. Others praised elements such as the sets, costumes and expanded supporting characters while still expressing reservations about the setup.
Those comments help identify a useful criticism: if Jim and Silver’s relationship begins with too much information already exposed, Jim has fewer opportunities to learn, misjudge Silver and gradually develop his own instincts. That is a concern about dramatic construction as much as about Tom Sweet’s acting. A character can seem passive because the script gives him too few meaningful choices, not necessarily because the actor is playing him without energy.
Read the audience discussion on Reddit in context: individual comments are anecdotal and should not be treated as representative of all viewers.
Is Tom Sweet the problem—or is it the writing?
It is too early to separate performance from screenplay with confidence after a single episode. A restrained performance can be effective when a character is frightened, observant or outmatched; stillness can communicate that a teenager is surrounded by adults who know more than he does. The question is whether the series lets that restraint develop into choices with consequences.
For Jim to feel active, the next chapters need to give him more than reactions. He should notice something others miss, make a decision that carries a cost, challenge an adult’s assumptions or take a risk that changes the crew’s plans. The character does not have to dominate every scene. He does need to matter to the outcome.
That distinction also makes the criticism fairer to Sweet. If the script repeatedly moves the decisive action to Bess, Silver or the new spy storyline, the problem is not solved simply by asking the young actor to play Jim louder. Agency is written into a story before it is performed.
Why the Silver relationship matters
Jim’s relationship with Long John Silver is one of the novel’s most durable sources of tension: Silver can be charismatic, useful and dangerous at the same time. If the television version makes Silver’s motives too obvious too soon, Jim’s challenge changes from interpreting an uncertain mentor to simply surviving a known threat. That can reduce the moral complexity of the story and make Jim appear less perceptive because there is less for him to discover.
The series may still build a different kind of tension in later episodes. The important test is whether Jim develops a point of view of his own and whether his choices complicate Silver’s plans. If that happens, a quiet premiere could prove to be deliberate setup. If it does not, the “passive Jim” complaint will have a stronger foundation.
What critics have said about the premiere
The Guardian’s October 12 review was sharply negative about the adaptation’s direction and writing, arguing that its added ideas and focus on Bess leave the classic adventure’s young hero diminished. The review is a critic’s assessment, not proof that all viewers agree. It does, however, overlap with the concern raised by some online commenters: the new material needs to deepen Jim’s journey rather than displace it.
Other coverage has been more mixed, with attention paid to David Oyelowo’s interpretation of Silver and the show’s attempt to make the familiar pirate story more adult and politically textured. The fairest reading is that the adaptation is making deliberate changes; whether those changes work will depend on whether the characters’ decisions still create suspense and emotional consequence.
Sources: The Guardian review; Paramount+ official series guide and first-look images.
What Episode 2 needs to do
- Give Jim a consequential choice: a decision that changes the crew’s situation, even if it creates trouble.
- Let his observations matter: curiosity and attention should reveal information that adult characters overlook.
- Build tension with Silver gradually: uncertainty and shifting trust can make their relationship more compelling than an early reveal alone.
- Balance Bess’s agency with Jim’s: an expanded maternal role can enrich the story without making the protagonist secondary.
- Make the consequences visible: when Jim acts, the story should respond rather than immediately handing the next decision to another character.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tom Sweet’s Jim Hawkins too passive in Treasure Island?
Some early commenters feel that Jim is overshadowed by the expanded adult storylines. That is an emerging reaction, not a universal audience verdict, and one episode is not enough to judge the character’s full arc.
Why are viewers comparing the series with the original book?
Stevenson’s novel relies heavily on Jim’s point of view and coming-of-age journey. Changes that shift attention to Bess or reveal key information earlier can alter how active and perceptive Jim appears.
Does the criticism mean Tom Sweet is giving a bad performance?
No. Character agency depends on writing, editing and story structure as well as acting. A quiet performance may be intentional; the key question is whether Jim receives meaningful decisions and consequences.
Where can I watch Treasure Island?
The official Paramount+ UK guide says the six-part adaptation premieres on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland on October 12, 2026, with weekly episodes planned. Availability differs by region; US viewers should check their local MGM+ listing.
When will we know whether Jim’s story improves?
Later episodes will provide a better basis for judgment. Watch for whether Jim discovers information, makes risky choices and changes the direction of the voyage rather than simply responding to adult decisions.
Official trailer
Watch the official trailer from the series’ publisher below. The video is hosted by YouTube; availability and playback may depend on the platform.
Image credit for the five in-article stills: Paramount+ UK & Ireland official first-look gallery. Images are shown from the publisher’s public page; confirm reuse rights for your site if required. This article distinguishes reported criticism from anecdotal social-media reactions.
