A new television adaptation of the classic novel Lord of the Flies is in the works, and the first images have been released. The series comes from Jack Thorne, the writer behind the popular Netflix show Adolescence, and is the first time William Golding’s famous book will be adapted for television. The project has the support of Golding’s family and features a young cast, many of whom are making their professional acting debuts.
The Story and The People Behind It
The four-part series is based on William Golding’s 1954 novel. The story follows a group of young schoolboys who find themselves stranded on a tropical island with no adults after a deadly plane crash. In an attempt to create order, the boys elect a leader, Ralph, who is supported by the intellectual Piggy. However, another boy, Jack, becomes more interested in hunting and seeking power, which leads the group toward tragedy.
The adaptation is described as being truthful to the original book, which is set in the early 1950s on an unnamed Pacific island. Jack Thorne’s script will explore the book’s central themes of human nature, the loss of innocence, and boyhood masculinity in greater depth. Each of the four one-hour episodes is named after one of the main characters: Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and Jack, giving viewers a chance to see the story from different perspectives.
The series is directed by Marc Munden, who previously worked on National Treasure and The Sympathizer. The production companies behind it are Eleven, known for Sex Education, and Jack Thorne’s One Shoe Films. The executive producer for the BBC, Nawfal Faizullah, expressed great confidence in the team, stating they is the perfect choice to bring this story to a new generation. The original score for the series is being created by the renowned composer Hans Zimmer.
“Marc is a visionary. It is a privilege to witness his skill in working with our young actors as he brings Jack’s scripts to life,” said Eleven’s Executive Producer Joel Wilson.
A Fresh Young Cast
The series features a cast of young actors, many of whom were discovered through an open casting process led by Nina Gold, the casting director for Game of Thrones and Baby Reindeer. Filming took place on location in Malaysia.
The main castaways are played by:
- Winston Sawyers as Ralph
- Lox Pratt as Jack
- David McKenna as Piggy
- Ike Talbut as Simon
They are joined by an ensemble of more than 30 other boys playing the roles of the “biguns” and “littluns” on the island. Other key cast members include Thomas Connor as Roger, Noah and Cassius Flemming as the twins Sam and Eric, Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice, and Tom Page-Turner as Bill.
Lox Pratt, who plays Jack, has also been cast as Draco Malfoy in the upcoming Harry Potter television series. Winston Sawyers is the son of actor Parker Sawyers, who has appeared in shows like Succession.
When and Where to Watch
The BBC and Australian streamer Stan are producing the series together. It will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Stan in Australia. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution. While an exact release date has not been announced, the series is expected to premiere in 2026.
Also Read: Adolescence on Netflix: A Parents Guide to the Intense School Murder Drama; Is It Suitable For Kids?
